Scaraboid
Unknown Artist
Medium
Rock crystal
Dimensions
Other: 15/16 × 11/16 × 3/8 in. (2.3 × 1.8 × 1 cm)
Classification
Gold and Silver
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.4228
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate **Scaraboid**, petite gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art department. Crafted from translucent rock crystal, this diminutive object measures just 15/16 × 11/16 × 3/8 inches (2.3 × 1.8 1 cm), fittingly in the palm. Its scarab-like form—evoking the sacred beetle of ancient Mediterranean cultures—suggests it served as a seal, amulet, or jewelry element, embodying the precision of ancient lapidary arts. Acquired through The Cesnola Collection 1874 and 1876 via public subscription, this piece hails from the rich archaeological legacy of Cyprus, a cultu...