Gold Scarab with Depiction of a Bird
4th-2nd century BCE
Description
One of a set of four similar gold scarabs. This scarab, which may be a pair with 2012.1.18, has a convex back with two small raised dots for eyes, a horizontal register of a thick line surrounded by a thinner line, with the rest of the body covered by thin vertical lines to indicate the wings. The underside, which is concave, bears an incuse depiction of a stylized bird in profile, facing to the left. The remains of a coiled spring are visible at the top, possibly part of a hinge or used for suspension. The scarab is slightly dented, and the edges have slightly separated on the underside.
Dimensions
1.1 x 0.8 x 0.3 cm (7/16 x 5/16 x 1/8 in.)
Provenance
The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (before 1952-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.
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