Scarab with Hieroglyphs and Recumbent Donkey

Unknown

ca. 1700–1600 B.C. (Middle Bronze Age IIB) · Green glazed steatite · Egyptian Art

The underside of this Canaanite Middle Bronze Age scarab is decorated with the representation of recumbent quadruped, which can be identified as a wild ass or donkey based on its long ears and equid-like muzzle. Above and behind the animal are the hieroglyphs for good (nefer) and unification (sema). While the donkey was one of the most important animals of burden in ancient Egypt, in the Levant, the donkey was commonly ridden too.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1700–1600 B.C. (Middle Bronze Age IIB)

Medium

Green glazed steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922