Finger ring

Add to album

This ancient Egyptian gold finger ring with a steatite bezel in the form of a scarab dates from the New Kingdom (around 1539 to 1069 BC).

The ends of the gold wire rods pass through the bezel and coil at opposite ends. The base of the ring is incised with hieroglyphs with the name of the god Menkhepherre.

The scarab was an important symbol in ancient Egyptian religion. It was in the shape of a dung beetle, often portrayed naturalistically. It was symbolic of the enduring human soul and regeneration, often appearing with spread wings in art associated with the dead.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-104-519-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.212.12
• Date: New Kingdom
  New Kingdom (around 1539 to 1069 BC)
  
• Material:
• Dimensions: 19 mm D
  
• What:
• Subject: Finger rings
  
• Who: Men-Kheper-re
  
• Where: Ancient Egypt
  
• Event:
• Description: Gold finger ring of wire hoop with ends passed through the bezel and coiled upon opposite extremities: Ancient Egyptian, New Kingdom
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: