Scarab that Praises Divine Kingship

Unknown

ca. 733–525 B.C. · Steatite · Egyptian Art

The upper part of the scarab’s base shows a recumbent sphinx facing to the right, holding a hes-vase (meaning ‘praise’). A uraeus spreads its wings in a protective gesture towards the hybrid creature. The aroused cobra is closely related to the (divine) kingship and the sphinx – like the horse or the bull – is one of the animals that symbolizes the king. The lower part displays a falcon and three short vertical strokes followed by the image of a seated figure, possibly a king. Below is the hieroglyph for gold. The falcon on the gold sign is also a reference to the pharaoh and his divine status as the Golden Horus on earth. The entire composition therefore refers to divine kingship and may be understood as a blessing ‘praise to the king, the golden Horus in (his) many manifestations’.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 733–525 B.C.

Medium

Steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910