Gold Scarab
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 x 0.8 x 0.2 cm (3/8 x 5/16 x 1/16 in.)
Provenance
The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (before 1952-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.
Related Artworks
View MoreGilt copper alloy
7th-8th centuryAvarBronze
8th century BCEItalicBronze
8th century BCEGreekGold
2nd century BCEGreekMixed copper alloy
9th centuryAnglo-SaxonCopper alloy
8th century BCEItalicCopper alloy
7th-8th centuryAvarLeaded bronze
10th-8th century BCEIranianGold and stone
1st century BCE-3rd century CERomanMixed copper alloy
11th-12th centuryByzantineBronze
10th-8th century BCEIranianGold
Etruscan