COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
MMA_.40.3.12
AMICA Library Year:
2000
Object Type:
Costume and Jewelry
Creator Nationality:
African; North African; Egyptian
Creator Name-CRT:
Egyptian
Title:
Scarab of Wah
Title Type:
Object name
View:
Full View
Creation Date:
ca. 1990-85 B.C.
Creation Start Date:
-1990
Creation End Date:
-85
Materials and Techniques:
Silver, gold
Classification Term:
Jewelry
Dimensions:
L. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
AMICA Contributor:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location:
New York, New York, USA
ID Number:
40.3.12
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1940
Context:
The estate manager Wah was buried in a small tomb near that of his employer, Meketre. First seen in an X-ray of Wah's mummy, this magnificent scarab is extraordinary, not only for its superb craftsmanship but for its material as well. Silver was not abundant in Egypt, and because of the metal's fragility most silver objects have completely disintegrated. This scarab is made of several sections soldered together and has a gold suspension tube running horizontally between the base and back. On its back, inlaid hieroglyphs of pale gold give the names and titles of Wah and Meketre. The tomb of Wah was uncovered by the Museum's Egyptian Expedition in 1920 during clearance of the causeway leading to the tomb of Meketre.
Related Image Identifier Link:
MMA_.eg40.3.12.R.tif
