Scaraboid seal
Encyclopedia
The Scaraboid seal is a category of the impression seal
s of Egypt. It is also a category of Jewellery
and amulet
s, though as a seal it is of minor size (about 1.5 cm, pocket size).
Scarabs were used extensively in Egypt and became popular in certain time periods, even being reproduced outside of Egypt, mainly in the Levant
, or its environs.
The scarabs were also produced in far greater sizes (paperweights, and larger), and because of their flat bottom surface, became common as a form of "Commemorative Scarabs". They became common with the Famous 5, produced by Thutmose III
, and later in the reign of Amenhotep III
.
Impression seal
The impression seal is a common seal that leaves an impression, typically in clay and less often in wax. In antiquity they were common, largely because they served to authenticate legal documents, such as tax receipts, contracts, wills and decrees...
s of Egypt. It is also a category of Jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
and amulet
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
s, though as a seal it is of minor size (about 1.5 cm, pocket size).
Scarabs were used extensively in Egypt and became popular in certain time periods, even being reproduced outside of Egypt, mainly in the Levant
Levant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
, or its environs.
The scarabs were also produced in far greater sizes (paperweights, and larger), and because of their flat bottom surface, became common as a form of "Commemorative Scarabs". They became common with the Famous 5, produced by Thutmose III
Thutmose III
Thutmose III was the sixth Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty. During the first twenty-two years of Thutmose's reign he was co-regent with his stepmother, Hatshepsut, who was named the pharaoh...
, and later in the reign of Amenhotep III
Amenhotep III
Amenhotep III also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent was the ninth pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty. According to different authors, he ruled Egypt from June 1386 to 1349 BC or June 1388 BC to December 1351 BC/1350 BC after his father Thutmose IV died...
.
See also
- For "Scaraboid seal", See:
- Name of 13th DynastyThirteenth dynasty of EgyptThe thirteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt is often combined with Dynasties XI, XII and XIV under the group title Middle Kingdom. Other writers separate it from these dynasties and join it to Dynasties XIV through XVII as part of the Second Intermediate Period...
Pharaoh Wahibre IbiauWahibre Ibiauthrone name: Wahibrebirth name: IbiauWahibre Ibiau was an Egyptian king of the 13th Dynasty, who reigned for 10 years, 8 months and 29 days according to the Turin King List. He is not known from many contemporary monuments. There are several scarab seals with his name as well as a stela of an...
on "Scarab seals".
- Name of 13th Dynasty
- Impression sealImpression sealThe impression seal is a common seal that leaves an impression, typically in clay and less often in wax. In antiquity they were common, largely because they served to authenticate legal documents, such as tax receipts, contracts, wills and decrees...
- Cylinder sealCylinder sealA cylinder seal is a cylinder engraved with a 'picture story', used in ancient times to roll an impression onto a two-dimensional surface, generally wet clay. Cylinder seals were invented around 3500 BC in the Near East, at the contemporary site of Susa in south-western Iran and at the early site...
- Stamp sealStamp sealThe stamp seal is a carved object, usually stone, first made in the 4th millennium BC, and probably earlier. They were used to impress their picture or inscription into soft, prepared clay....
- Cylinder seal
External links
- a collection of seals and scarabs from international collectors and galleries, accompanied by an archeologist
- 1.1 cm Scaraboid impression seal. HapyHapyHapi, sometimes transliterated as Hapy, not to be confused with another god of the same name, was a deification of the annual flooding of the Nile River in Ancient Egyptian religion, which deposited rich silt on its banks, allowing the Egyptians to grow crops. His name means Running One, probably...
, Nile god holding Water-vessel, and kneeling on hieroglyphEgyptian hieroglyphsEgyptian hieroglyphs were a formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians that combined logographic and alphabetic elements. Egyptians used cursive hieroglyphs for religious literature on papyrus and wood...
for "Lord", "Lord of the Nile". (Click on picture. Top, and bottom views.) - 'Positive-impression' cowrie-scaraboid. Collection of Ten scaraboid seals. (Click on picture. Top, and bottom views.)