Gold Base Plate of a Scarab of an Official

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold base plate, dating to Egypt's Middle Kingdom (Dynasty 13, ca. 1802–1640 B.C.), once formed the underside of a scarab amulet belonging to a high-ranking official. Measuring just 2.8 cm long, this tiny masterpiece exemplifies the precision of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. Scarabs, shaped like the sacred dung beetle, symbolized rebirth and the sun god's daily renewal, making them potent talismans worn as jewelry or used as seals. The base is finely engraved with hieroglyphs likely bearing the official's name and, which would imprint into clay for authenticating documents or goods. Crafted from pure gold—a precious metal reserved for elites—this plate highlights the administrative prowess and social hierarchy of the era. During the Middle Kingdom, such scarabs proliferated as both protective charms and bureaucratic tools, bridging the spiritual and practical worlds. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Art department (Rogers Fund, 1915), this artifact offers a glimpse into daily life among Egypt's ruling class, where even a small object carried profound cultural weight.