Scarab thumbnail 1
Scarab thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Scarab

c. 1550 BC - c. 1292 BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This piece was one of many items deposited during the New Kingdom at the mortuary temple of Deir el-Bahari, as a votive offering in the Hathor shrine within the temple complex. The turquoise colour typical of glazed composition was considered appropriate for this goddess, one of whose Epithets was 'Lady of Turquoise'.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glazed composition with impressed inscription
Brief description
Frog scaraboid, green glazed composition, Deir el-Bahari, Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty Eighteen
Physical description
Green glazed composition scaraboid in the form of a seated frog, with eyes glazed in red. The scaraboid is on a round base, pierced longitudinally to be mounted on a ring or necklace, today mounted to a wooden block with wire running through the suspension loop. The base of the scaraboid bears an impressed inscription, surrounded by a single line.
Dimensions
  • Length: 0.9cm
  • Height: 0.9cm
Styles
Marks and inscriptions
  • Phrase or utterance
    Translation
    Maat is beautiful (if to be read as a coherent inscription) Truth; beauty (if to be read as independant signs)
    Transliteration
    nfr mAa.t
  • Transliteration
    .
Credit line
Given by the Egypt Exploration Fund.
Object history
Found at Deir el-Bahari, 1904-5 excavation season.
Summary
This piece was one of many items deposited during the New Kingdom at the mortuary temple of Deir el-Bahari, as a votive offering in the Hathor shrine within the temple complex. The turquoise colour typical of glazed composition was considered appropriate for this goddess, one of whose Epithets was 'Lady of Turquoise'.
Collection
Accession number
656-1905

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest