SculptureEgyptian4th-1st century BCE

Winged Scarab

c 323-31 BCE

Description

This Romano-Egyptian mummy amulet or ornament consists of three pieces: the scarab in the center and each wing. The piece is supported on a modern steel mounting plate pierced by threaded screw hole in center. The scarab is oval with animal in relief in black faience against a light blue background. A pair of small holes pierces object on either side of the scarab's head. Two sets of three symetrical holes each pierce the side of the scarab plaque. The wings consist of eight large feathers on the left wing and seven large feathers on the right wing with nine smaller feathers on the left wing and ten smaller feathers on the right wing. These wings emerge from sockets marked by relief scales. The blue relief scales are decorated with black dots. There are four pairs of holes piercing the wings: one pair at the tip, another farther down on the curve of the wing, a third pair through the outermost smaller feathers, and a fourth pair at the outer edge of the area scales. On the left wing this pair of holes is placed horizontially. On the right wing, however, this pair is placed vertically and close together. Three holes at both corners and in the middle appear on the straight inner edge of each wing. There is a symetrical pair of holes and the bottom of the scarab plaque piercing the blue glazed background between the tips of the hind legs and the ends of the carapace. The series of holes may have been intended for mounting on a mummy cartonage.

Classification

Sculpture

Medium

Faience

Culture

Egyptian

Period

Ptolemaic period

Century

4th-1st century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art