Scarab of the Storehouse Overseer Wah ca. 1981–1975 Middle Kingdom This large silver scarab is of exceptionally fine workmanship. It was cast in several sections that were soldered together. Details on the legs, head, and wing cases and the scroll meander pattern on the base were chased. An electrum suspension tube runs through the length of the scarab and the Inlaid hieroglyphs on the scarab's wing cases are electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. Their light color renders them almost invisible unless the scarab is tarnished. The inscription on the left wing case list Wah's name and his t
Scarab of the Storehouse Overseer Wah ca. 1981–1975 Middle Kingdom This large silver scarab is of exceptionally fine workmanship. It was cast in several sections that were soldered together. Details on the legs, head, and wing cases and the scroll meander pattern on the base were chased. An electrum suspension tube runs through the length of the scarab and the Inlaid hieroglyphs on the scarab's wing cases are electrum, an alloy of gold and silver. Their light color renders them almost invisible unless the scarab is tarnished. The inscription on the left wing case list Wah's name and his title "overseer of the storehouse" (more broadly speaking, "estate manager"). Those on the right name his employer, the "nobleman" , an important official who began his career under Mentuhotep II of Dynasty 11 and continued to serve successive kings into early Dynasty 12, had an imposing tomb built in Western Thebes and Wah was buried in a small tomb nearby. Wah's burial was found intact by the Museum excavators and the entire tomb group, including the wrapped mummy, coffin, funerary offerings, and numerous linen sheets came to the Museum in the division of finds in 1920. In 1939, x-rays of Wah's mummy revealed the presence of jewelry, some made of metal, and in 1940 the mummy was unwrapped. Among the pieces of personal jewelry were three scarab and bead bracelets (this one, , and ). All three were found in wrappings over the wrists of Wah's mummy. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #3305. Scarab Bracelet of Wah Play or pause #3686. Scarab Bracelet of Wah Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as Scarab of the Storehouse Overseer Wah 544228
Size: 2703px × 3878px
Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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