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Scarab of the Lady Mutnodjmet

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Eighteenth Dynasty gold scarabs are among the rarest of Egyptian antiquities. The inscription on the back of this example mentions the Lady Mutnodjmet. She is probably the same Mutnodjmet who married Horemheb, last king of Dynasty XVIII. Since the inscription does not refer to her as a queen, the scarab may have been manufactured before Horemheb came to the throne.

MEDIUM Gold
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1336-1327 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 3/8 x 1/2 x 11/16 in. (0.9 x 1.2 x 1.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.715E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold scarab inscribed with the name of Queen Mut Nedjemet the wife of King Horemheb. The name is given in plain-incised hieroglyphs on the bottom surface of an oval base plate. The beetle is made in two halves. The upper half of the body is worked in repoussé with engraved details. The lower half is worked in repoussé, and soldered to the upper half. The six legs are made separately. There is a canal for threading which runs from front to rear underneath the beetle. Condition: Perfect but for some loosening of the solder.
    CAPTION Scarab of the Lady Mutnodjmet, ca. 1336-1327 B.C.E. Gold, 3/8 x 1/2 x 11/16 in. (0.9 x 1.2 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.715E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.715E_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.37.715E_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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