Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Scarab with Wish Formula
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
This obsidian scarab is inscribed on the flat underside with vertically arranged column writing requesting the support of the royal palace. The top of the scarab is incised with a detailed design with thick lines, slightly irregular line flow and almost balanced proportions. The piece is simply made and the workmanship is slightly rough.
The scarab functioned as a provider individualized amulet with a wish formula. The amulet should provide its owner with the protection of Horus. The piece was originally mounted or threaded.
A similar wish formula can be found on Walters 42.8.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1913 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Egypt (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 1/4 x W: 1/2 x L: 5/8 in. (0.7 x 1.2 x 1.6 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1913
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
42.65