Scarab with Representation of a Falcon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The shape of the scarab is characteristic for scarabs of early Dynasty 18. The falcon as we see it here, with its elevated wings spread wide open and the wingtips joined above its head, appears as primary motif on scarabs during the reign of Hatshepsut (ca. 1473–1458 B.C.) (MMA 23.3.245, MMA 27.3.391). It evolved from the motif of the royal cartouche to which falcon wings are attached, as seen on scarabs inscribed for pharaohs of early Dynasty 18 (for example MMA 27.3.231). This scarab most likely dates to the reign of Thutmose III (ca. 1479–1425 B.C.). The manner in which the details of this falcon is incised is also found on scarabs with similar decorations bearing the throne name of this king.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 30,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from about 300,000 BCE to the 4th century CE. A signifcant percentage of the collection is derived from the Museum's three decades of archaeological work in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing interest in the culture of ancient Egypt.

Metropolitan Museum of Art