Scarab

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Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab
Photo by John Bentham.
Datedate unknown
MediumJadeite
DimensionsOverall: 7/8 × 11/16 × 3/8 in. (2.2 × 1.7 × 1 cm)
Credit LineGift of William C. Winslow, Class of 1862
Object number1943.186
On view
DescriptionScarabs, such as this one, were an important part of ancient Egyptian art and culture and were associated with spontaneous generation, transcendence, renewal, and rebirth. Egyptians observed how scarab beetles pushed balls of dung containing their eggs across the ground until the eggs hatched, and in turn connected this action with the sun’s daily movement across the sky. Consequently, scarab beetles were associated with the two gods responsible for the sun and its movement, Ra and Khepri. In fact, the connection between these gods and scarab beetles was so strong that Khepri is always depicted with a scarab beetle as his head. Scarab beetles became a popular design for amulets beginning in the Old Kingdom (ca. 2686 – 2160 BCE), and eventually were used as stamps and seals engraved with various messages and names. (Written by Christina Naston '20) Dark green jadeite scarab, finely carved and polished, inscribed on base Within this scarab's cartouche are the hieroglyphics for Men-Kheper-Ra. This does not imply that this object dates to the reign of Thutmose III (Men-Kheper-Ra), as he became famous for his piety and his cartouche became a symbol of piety and eventually acquired amuletic properties.
Collections

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2024-2025
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).

2011
Clinton, NY. Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College. "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Inscribed Inscription on base
Scarab
Scarab
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Probably steatite, gold
Object number: 1943.29
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.1
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.2
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.3
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.4
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.5
Photo by John Bentham.
Mold for producing scarabs
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 1943.146.6
Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab bead
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Faience
Object number: 1943.189
Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab bead
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Faience
Object number: 1943.153
Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Faience
Object number: 1943.179
Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab bead
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Probably steatite
Object number: 1943.187
Photo by John Bentham.
Scarab bead
Date: c. 600-570 BCE
Medium: Probably steatite
Object number: 1943.188