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Scarab (seal) of the Middle Kingdom
Period: Middle Kingdom to second intermediate Period
Dynasty: 12-13 (?)
Reign:
Date: ca. 1980-1500 BC
Medium: Steatite, glazed
Dimensions: 24mm x 16mm x12 mm
Provenance:
Origin: Middle Egypt, Meir Khashaba, found in the early 20th century. The findspot suggests a dating to the middle kingdom. Note also the similarity to the scarab of the Steward of Cusae, Senebtifi in the Metroplitan Museum of Art, which was found at the same site.
Reading of the inscription
The vulture and cobra (uraeus) on the baskets refer to the "two ladies" Nekhbet and Wadjet, who represent upper and lower Egypt. Hence, this is the so called Nebty-name (or two ladies name) of a yet to be identified Pharaoh. The Nebty-name occurs only rarely on scarabs, which underscores the early dating:
nbty nhbt w3dt (nekh-bet wahdge-et)
ity hrp iu
Gardiner sign list
V 15 = iti
X 1 = t
D 44 = hrp
F 51?
E 9 = iw
Collection : Antiquities - Scarabs