scarab-mould
- Museum number
- 1965,0930.907
- Description
-
Terracotta scarab-mould in Nile clay; back of mould is sub-conical shape, with double impressions of fingers on top; impression of a scarab back very simply modelled, with only clypeus and front legs marked, while rest of scarab back is left plain; in pale brown micaceous Nile silt fabric.
- Production date
- 600 BC-570 BC (mainly)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 2.90 - 3 centimetres (mould)
-
Height: 1.60 centimetres (impression)
-
Thickness: 1.70 centimetres (mould)
-
Width: 1.30 centimetres (impression)
- Curator's comments
-
Poorly made impression., possibly discarded because of the lack of detail.
-
Glazed composition scarabs and scaraboids produced at Naukratis were usually cast and not carved or incised; this technique, highly characteristic of Naukratite productions, allowed a mass-production of these small objects which were mainly intended for export in the whole Mediterranean area and even as far as Southern Russia (Gorton 1996, 177-180, fig. 35). Numerous terracotta moulds for scarabs, scaraboids and amulets were discovered at the site (on the various productions from the Scarab Factory see Webb, forthcoming). Petrie listed a number of variants for scarab and scaraboid-moulds (Petrie 1886, 36-37, pl. XXXVIII, 1-11).
Gorton, A. F. 1996, Egyptian and Egyptianizing scarabs: a typology of steatite, faience and paste scarabs from Punic and other Mediterranean sites, Oxford.
Petrie, W. M. F. 1886, Naukratis. Part I, 1884-5 (Third Memoir of the Egypt Exploration Fund), London.
Webb, V. forthcoming, Faience finds from Naukratis and their implications for dating, in R. Thomas (ed.), The Naukratis workshop, held at the British Museum 16th – 17th December 2011.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- good
- Acquisition notes
- Previously unregistered.
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1965,0930.907