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Egyptian

Scarab, 332–30 BCE

Now On View

Description

Maker

Culture

Egyptian

Title

Scarab

Year

332–30 BCE

Medium

Gold and enamel

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Type

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Murray S. Danforth

Object Number

32.242

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Ancient Egyptian Galleries

The Egyptians understood the sun god to manifest himself in multiple forms, chiefly those of Re during the day, the ram-headed Atum in the evening, and the scarab beetle Khepri at dawn. During the sun's daily journey across the sky he grew old and weary, then was rejuvenated overnight and reborn-young and strong-at sunrise.

Scarab amulets were frequently wound into a mummy's bandages to protect the deceased and ensure rebirth. This scarab is made of gold, a metal strongly associated with the sun. The blue enamel symbolizes the life-giving waters of the Nile.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Scarab with the accession number of 32.242. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.