scarab-mould
- Museum number
- 1965,0930.924
- Description
-
Terracotta scarab-mould in Nile clay; impression of a quite well modelled scarab back with clypeus, prothorax, elytra and humeral callosities marked; remains of pale yellow paste/glaze inside impression; in orange brown micaceous Nile silt fabric.
- Production date
- 600 BC-570 BC (mainly)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 2.00 - 2.20 centimetres (mould)
-
Height: 0.70 centimetres (impression)
-
Thickness: 1.10 centimetres (mould)
-
Width: 0.50 centimetres (impression)
- Curator's comments
- 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-moulds such as this piece (Petrie 1886, 36-37, pl. XXXVIII, 1-5).
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
- Fair
- Acquisition notes
- Previously unregistered.
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1965,0930.924