Scarab ring of Tuthmosis III

The Scarab ring is a style of finger ring featuring a small sculpture of a scarab as the bezel that was popular in the Egyptian Middle Kingdom and later.[1][2] They generally incorporated an inscription on the base of the scarab but not always.[1][2]

The bezel design was developed in the late Old Kingdom as a signet/amulet with the scarab representing the god Ra.[2] Glazed steatite was the most popular material although where the scarab have been in damp conditions the glazing may not have survived until the present day.[2][3] Originally they were tied to the fingers with thread but later gold wire, with coils patterned after the thread, was used.[2] Scarab rings with thicker hoops developed during the Second Intermediate Period.[2] The scarab itself was mounted with a gold wire running through its centre on which it could swivel.[2] As well as gold silver was used.[3]

A final development was during the Amarna Period where instead of being carved the scarab was cast as part of the ring.[2] At the same time faience copies of the rings were made.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Scarab ring of Sithathoryunet". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Aldred, Cyril (1971). Jewels of the Pharaohs Egyptian Jewellery of the Dynastic Period. Thames and Hudson. pp. 160–161. ISBN 0500231389.
  3. ^ a b "Scarab Ring of Ruiu". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
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