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Unknown Maker, Egyptian

Heart Scarab
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Egyptian

Culture

Egyptian

Title

Heart Scarab

Period

Late Period, Dynasty 27-39

Year

525-343 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

Steatite

Dimensions

1.9 x 3.3 cm (3/4 x 1 5/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Hieroglyphics on face.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Lyra Brown Nickerson

Object Number

16.476

Type

Publications

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 18: Nature

 RISD Museum’s Manual 18 Celebrates Nature

In our [Chamoru] culture, inafa’maolek is our most important value. It roughly translates as “to make good for each other.” Inafa’maolek teaches us that all things are connected and related, including people, environments, and all species. Because all things are interwoven, we must always act with guinaiya and respetu, love and respect.  

–Craig Santos Perez, introduction

Manual 18 explores human interactions with the natural world, from frank awe and deep appreciation of the immediate moment to eternal questions and ancient unfinished business. This issue of Manual complements the exhibition Being and Believing in the Natural World, co-curated by Gina Borromeo, Wai Yee Chiong, and Sháńdíín Brown, on view at the RISD Museum now through May 7, 2023.

Exhibition History

Ancient Egyptian Galleries
Jun 10, 2014

Label copy

The journey through the underworld culminated with the Weighing of the Heart, when the deceased's heart was judged according to maat, the cosmic principle of truth or order.

This funerary amulet, placed on the chest, was carved into the shape of the scarab beetle, associated with the sun and rejuvenation. It is inscribed with a spell beseeching the heart not to speak against the deceased during its final test, or to reveal unfavorable information before the divine judges.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Egyptian
Heart Scarab, 525-343 BCE
Steatite
1.9 x 3.3 cm (3/4 x 1 5/16 inches)
Bequest of Lyra Brown Nickerson 16.476

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