Scarab with the Representation of a Pharaoh and an Obelisk

Unknown

ca. 1295–712 B.C. · Steatite · Egyptian Art

The underside of the scarab shows a kneeling figure wearing the red crown of Lower Egypt and raising both hands in front of him in a gesture of adoration. Above are hieroglyphs forming the royal title ‘the good god’. The Pharaoh faces an obelisk, which is a symbol of the sun god, and the scene thus expresses the king’s adoration for the sun (god).

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1295–712 B.C.

Medium

Steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889