Besides the hard stones enumerated above, shelly-limestone, _Scarabs

steatite were also employed, and a few scarabs are known that were made

of ivory. Steatite (or soapstone) was used in the manufacture of scarabs

from the Twelfth to the Twentieth Dynasties, and by far the greater

number of specimens are made of this material. It is a silicate of

magnesium, soft, easily cut, and at the same time its superior

compactness secures it from being readily broken or injured, and it is

also capable of receiving a higher finish and much sharper impression of

the subject than porcelain.

[Sidenote: The Glazes.]

The steatite scarabs were nearly always glazed, and the glazing often

helps to indicate the date of a specimen. Only by a careful study of a

large number of specimens can the eye be accustomed to differentiate

between the varieties of glazing used at different periods. A very fine

blue glaze of excellent quality is characteristic of the Twelfth

Dynasty, and green glaze was also often used at this period. Many shades

of blue and green glaze of very hard quality are found on the specimens

of the Thirteenth Dynasty, and the few Hyksos scarabs that yet retain

their colour show that a green glaze of a poorer quality was used at

that period. The characteristic glazes of the early Eighteenth Dynasty

are green, of a slightly greyish tint, generally of a fine surface,

while those of the latter half of the dynasty, though coarser in

quality, are often very brilliant in colour, and show a variety of tints

ranging through all the shades of blue and green. Violet glaze was also

employed at this period. The glazes of the Nineteenth Dynasty are often

poor in quality, and generally of a dark yellowish-green colour, though

sometimes blue and violet. The colour commonest during the Twentieth and

later period are blue of various shades. It should be remarked here that

the greatest number of scarabs are brown or white: the brown ones were

invariably coloured green, and the white specimens blue.

4. MISCELLANEOUS FORMS OF SEALS.

[Sidenote: Miscellaneous forms.]

Besides scarabaei, other forms of seals are met with in Egypt. Many of

them have little models of men or animals on the back, as human-heads,

symbolic eyes, hippopotami, lions, hedgehogs, ducks, fish, frogs, flies,

crocodiles; while not a few are shaped like cowries.

A large number are also cut in geometrical forms, tablet-shaped,

squares, rectangles, ovals, cubes, and cones. Like the scarabs, they are

all pierced, through their long axis or diameter, with a narrow

cylindrical hole, and were similarly mounted.

[Illustration: Figs. 83 and 84.]

[Sidenote: Animals as devices.]

The specimen illustrated in fig. 83, now in the MacGregor Collection,

bears a private name upon the base. The material is steatite,

beautifully carved. The figure is that of a male, squatting in the

familiar attitude, his hands upon his knees, and wearing a full wig. The

date is late in the Twelfth Dynasty. Fig. 84 is another illustration of

the same motive, dating from the Eighteenth Dynasty.

[Illustration: Fig. 85.]

[Illustration: Fig. 86.]

[Illustration: Fig. 87.]

[Illustration: Figs. 88 and 89.]

[Illustration: Fig. 90.]

[Illustration: Figs. 90, 91 and 92.]

Animal forms are illustrated in the figs. 85, 86, 87, 88, 89. The first

represents a naturalistic group, a cow suckling its calf, exquisitely

cut in steatite. It is in the collection of Captain Timmins in Cairo.

The design upon the base is analogous in its symmetry and the devices

employed to the steatite stamp, fig. 94, in the same collection, which

probably dates from about the Eleventh Dynasty. The two stamps, figs. 86

and 87, are very important, one of them being dated by the cartouche of

Mentuhetep of the Eleventh Dynasty, the other by its analogy, and by the

device of a running figure in line frequently employed upon the

button-seals (fig. 42, and _cf._ fig. 28). Hornets are employed upon the

Karnak three-sided seal, fig. 86, which is probably of earlier date,

about the close of the Sixth Dynasty. A further example of this

[Sidenote: Miscellaneous devices.] character, being a ram with horns, is

in the MacGregor Collection: upon the base is an interesting pattern in

coils, dating probably from the end of the Twelfth Dynasty. A great

number of seals with cats (fig. 88), hedgehogs, hippopotami (fig. 89),

and fish (fig. 90), date from the time of Thothmes III in the Eighteenth

Dynasty, while those with ducks (figs. 91, 92), frogs, and flies, seem

to be slightly later, dating from the reign of Amenhetep III.

[Illustration: Fig. 93.]

[Illustration: Fig. 94.]

[Illustration: Fig. 95 and 96.]

[Illustration: Fig. 97.]

[Illustration: Fig. 98.]

[Illustration: Fig. 99, 100 and 101.]

[Illustration: Fig. 102 and 103.]

A number of large seals are oval in form; one of these, with a device of

animals incised upon the back, shown in fig. 93, bears upon the base the

blundered cartouche of Amenemhat III. One of rectangular form (fig. 94)

is rather of the nature of a stamp, being without decoration upon the

back other than the necessary suspension hole in the attachment, while

upon the base is the device previously described as belonging to the

period which precedes the Middle Kingdom—between the Sixth and Eleventh

Dynasties, from its analogy to the button-seals of that time. Other

stamps are illustrated in figs. 95 and 96, having oval bases. They date

from the Seventeenth Dynasty, bearing the names of Seqen-en-ra and

Se-Amen. Another stamp (fig. 97) of larger size, has a simple handle

down the middle of the back. The device in this case represents a number

of captives or votives below the emblem of Anubis. This class of stamp,

used generally for the sealing up of tomb-doors, as in the case of the

tomb of Thothmes IV at Thebes, seems to date from the Eighteenth

Dynasty. Fig. 98 represents another common form of the same period,

itself dating to the reign of the emblem upon it, Thothmes III. A less

usual class, dating from the Twelfth Dynasty, is represented in fig. 99.

The back in this instance is plain, the form of the stamp resembling a

slice from a sphere, with the device upon the plane face. A hole pierces

the thickness. Figs. 100 and 101, represent other objects of this class,

which from its Aegean analogies is of peculiar importance. The former

specimen is dated, from an inscription on its back, to the reign of

Usertsen III; the coil device is employed in each case. Two interesting

examples are shown in figs. 102 and 103, the one being of the Eighteenth

Dynasty, from its cutting and its glaze, the other of the Nineteenth

Dynasty, from the cartouche of Rameses II incised upon it. A late

example is that shown in fig. 104, and is a common type of the period of

the Saïte renaissance in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty. The inscription gives

the name of Tahuti son of Aahmes, chief of the scribes of the temple. It

is of pottery, glazed green, and is in the Collection of Captain

Timmins.

[Illustration: Figs. 104 and 105.]

Two typical stamps of the Thirtieth Dynasty, one in bronze, the other in

pottery, are pictured in figs. 105 and 106. They are both without device

upon the plain handle of suspension. The one fig. 105 bears the name of

the Royal son Za-hapi-amen; the other bears the name of king

Kheper-ka-Ra, otherwise Nekht-neb-ef, with whom the list of Egypt’s

kings comes to a close.

[Illustration: Fig. 106.]

------------------

5. SIGNET-RINGS.

[Sidenote: Signet-rings.]

The signet-ring was called in Egyptian [Egyptian **] _zebat_ (var.

[Egyptian **], pl. [Egyptian **] Coptic [Coptic **] it consisted of

(_a_) a perforated bezel, the part that bears the inscription or device,

and (_b_) a hoop or wire which runs through the bezel and round the

inside of the finger. The bezel was generally a separate piece of stone

or metal, and when that was the case, it was generally encircled by a

metal band (_funda_) and pierced so that it formed a swivel ring.

[Illustration: Fig. 107.]

[Sidenote: Their history.]

The earliest examples that we know of are not older than the middle of

the Twelfth Dynasty, but from that period onwards they are fairly common

in Egypt. A number were found by M. de Morgan, at Dahshûr, of the date

of Usertsen III to Amenemhat III, and these are all of one type: a

scarab threaded on a piece of gold wire, the ends of which are twisted

round several times on the back of the hoop (fig. 107). At a somewhat

later period we find the gold wire thickened in the middle to lend

additional strength, and the two ends thrust into the perforation of the

scarab. The specimen illustrated (fig. 108) dates from the Thirteenth

Dynasty. A second type of this period is shown in fig. 109. Here the

scarab is mounted in a gold _funda_ and the perforation is threaded by a

wire, the ends of which are wound tightly round the hoop, which is made

of a separate piece of metal. The same form survives during the Hyksos

period (_see_ Pl. I, ring of King Apepŷ), and on to the end of the

Eighteenth Dynasty (fig. 110, and the ring of Hor-em-heb, Pl. I). With

the beginning of the Eighteenth Dynasty another form appears, that of a

plain metal ring with the outer surface of the bezel flat and the inner

curved (fig. 111). This form was rare during the earlier reigns of the

dynasty, but common under Amenhetep III and Akhenaten (_see_ ring of

Akhenaten, Pl. I), and it survives to the present day. At the time of

Thothmes III, a ring consisting of a plain hoop beaten out into a

lozenge shaped plate occurs (Pl. XXIX, 31), but it is a very rare form

until after the Twentieth Dynasty. With the reign of Amenhetep III,

pottery rings of all forms are found, and these are very common till the

beginning of the Nineteenth Dynasty.

[Illustration: Figs. 108 and 109.]

[Illustration: Figs. 110. RING OF THOTHMES III and 111.]

[Illustration: Figs. 112 and 113.]

[Illustration: Figs. 114 and 115.]

Pottery rings, with long bezels, as shown in figs. 112 and 113, appear

first at the end of the Twentieth Dynasty, and continue on till the end

of the Twenty-third. The examples of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty are of

several forms, the commonest being the plain hoop beaten out into a

rectangular or lozenge-shaped plate which bears the inscription. Other

forms give the outer surface of the bezel flat and the inner curved, as

in figs. 114 and 115: the one being a ring of a priest of Khufu, named

Nefer-ab-ra; the other that of a priest of Tahuti, named Hor-se-ast. A

rarer form is that illustrated in fig. 116, where the flat engraved

plate is welded on to a plain hoop.

[Illustration: Fig. 116.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DESCRIPTIONS

OF THE

SPECIMENS FIGURED IN THE PLATES.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.

The following abbreviations are used to denote the collections and works

most frequently quoted in the descriptions of the Plates:—

Alnw. The Duke of Northumberland’s Collection at Alnwick

Castle, Northumberland.

Amh. Lord Amherst of Hackney’s Collection at Didlington

Hall, Norfolk.

Ashm. The Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.

Ath. The Athens Museum.

_A.Z._ _Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache_, Berlin.

Benson Mr. E. F. Benson’s Collection, London.

Berl. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin.

B.M. The British Museum.

Bol. The Museo Civico, Bologna.

B.P. (Delhaes Coll.) Buda Pesth.

C.d.M. The Cabinet des Medailles, Paris.

C.M. The Cairo Museum.

Dat. G. Dattari’s Collection, Cairo.

Davis Mr. Theodore M. Davis’ Collection, Newport, Rhode

Island, U.S.A.

de M. _D._ M. de Morgan’s _Fouilles à Dahchour_.

Dres. The Dresden Museum.

Edw. The Edwards’ Collection, University College,

London.

Evans Col. John Evans’ Collection, London.

Fitzw. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

F._Sc._ Mr. G. W. Fraser’s book “_Scarabs_.”

Gibs. Mr. Gibson’s Collection, Liverpool.

Gdn. Mrs. Goodison’s Collection, Waterloo, near

Liverpool.

Gr. The late Dr. Grant’s Collection, Liverpool.

Green Mr. F. W. Green’s Collection, Tunbridge Wells.

Har. The Harrow School Museum, Harrow.

Herm. The Museum of the Ermitage, St. Petersburg.

Hood Mrs. Hood’s Collection, Nettleham Hall, Lincoln.

H-P. Mr. Hilton Price’s Collection, London.

L. The Egyptian Museum of the Louvre, Paris.

Leyd. The Leyden Museum.

Liv. The Liverpool Museum.

Luxor Specimens seen in Dealers’ shops at Luxor.

Mars. The Château Borelly Museum, Marseilles.

M. _B._ M. Maspero’s _Guide du visiteur au Musée de

Boulaq_.

M. _Cat. Ab._ Mariette’s _Catalogue général des Monuments

d’Abydos_.

_M.D._ Mariette’s _Monuments Divers_.

M-G. Mr. W. MacGregor’s Collection, Tamworth.

M. _Mast._ Mariette’s _Les Mastabas de l’Ancien Empire_.

Murch Mr. Chauncey Murch’s Collection, Luxor.

Myers The late Major Myers’ Collection, now in the Eton

College Museum, Eton.

Nash Mr. W. Nash’s Collection.

Newb. Scarabs in the possession of the writer.

N.Y. The Abbott Collection at New York.

Piers’ Coll. Mr. Piers’ Collection, New York.

P. Prof. Petrie’s Collection at University College,

London.

P. _I._ Prof. Petrie’s _Illahûn, Kahun and Gurob_.

P. _K._vProf. Petrie’s _Kahun, Gurob and Hawara_.

P. R. T. Prof. Petrie’s volumes on the Royal Tombs of

Abydos.

P. _Sc._ Prof. Petrie’s _Historical Scarabs_.

_P.S.B.A._ _Proceedings_ of the Society of Biblical

Archaeology.

S.K. The South Kensington Museum.

Thomp. Sir Herbert Thompson’s Collection, London.

Timmins’ Coll. Capt. C. Timmins’ Collection, Cairo.

T. The Turin Museum.

Vat. The Egyptian Museum of the Vatican, Rome.

Vien. The Vienna Museum.

v-B. Baron von Bissing’s Collection, Munich.

W. Mr. John Ward’s Collection, Belfast.

W. _S.B._ Mr. John Ward’s volume on _The Sacred Beetle_.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLATE I.

SOME ROYAL SIGNET-RINGS.

I. Signet-ring of Apepŷ I. In the possession of Mr. Theodore M. Davis.

The bezel is of green-glazed steatite, carved in the shape of a

scarabaeus-beetle with a human head, and mounted in a thin gold

funda. On the base of the bezel is engraved in intaglio, and within

a cartouche, the name of the “Good King Aauser-ra (Apepŷ I), giving

life.” The cartouche is surrounded by a continuous rope-pattern.

The hoop of the ring is of gold, and the bezel is secured to it by

means of a gold wire running longitudinally through the funda and

scarab, and coiled tightly round its two ends.

II. Signet-ring of Amenhetep II. In the Egyptian Museum of the Louvre.

The bezel is of solid gold, in the form of a rectangular plaque. On

one face are engraved, in intaglio, the titles and prenomen of

Amenhetep II: “The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Lord of the

Two Lands, Aa-kheperu-ra,” the cartouche being surmounted by two

cobras, and resting on the _nub_-sign. On the other face are the

titles: _Heru_, _ka nekht_, _user pehtet_, “the Horus and Mighty

Bull, strong in power.” The bezel is pierced longitudinally by a

narrow hole, and it is fixed to the hoop of the ring by means of a

rod running through it, and rivetted to the shoulders.

III. Signet-ring of Nefer-ka-ra (Psamtek II). In the possession of Mr.

Walter Nash. A plain hoop of gold, beaten out into a lozenge-shaped

plate, upon which is cut, in intaglio, the prenomen of Psamtek II.

IV. Signet-ring of Neferu-kheperu-ra Setep-en-ra (Akh-en-aten). In

the possession of Mr. Walter Nash. A hoop of silver, with massive

bezel, the inner surface of which is curved, and the outer flat,

with the prenomen of Akh-en-aten engraved upon it.

V. Signet-ring of Zeser-kheperu-ra Setep-en-ra (Hor-em-heb). In the

Egyptian Museum of the Louvre. This is the most remarkable specimen

of an ancient Egyptian signet-ring known. It is formed of a

quadrangular plaque and a thick hoop, swollen in the middle for

strength, both of solid gold; it weighs 125.50 grs. On one face of

the plaque is engraved, in intaglio, the prenomen of Hor-em-heb,

while on the other is a marching lion, emblem of royal power, and

the words _Neb Khepsh_, “Lord of Valiance,” above it. Upon the two

sides are delicately engraved: (1) a scorpion, and (2) a crocodile.

The bezel is pierced longitudinally through its centre, and secured

to the hoop by means of a thick gold wire, which threads the bezel,

and is coiled round the two ends of the hoop.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLATE II.

Scene representing “the Superintendent of the Seal” (_i.e._, the

Chancellor) of King Tût-ankh-Amen, investing Prince Hûŷ with the

Official Seal of the Governorship of Ethiopia. The inscription above and

between the figures reads: “The giving of the Seal of the Royal Son by

the Superintendent of the Seal, in order to make to flourish the office

of the Royal Son of Ethiopia, Hûŷ; (his boundary) begins at Nekhen

(Hieraconpolis) and (ends) at Kerŷ[122] (Gebel Barkal).” The ring and

bezel are coloured yellow, to represent gold. From a painting in the

tomb of Hûŷ at Kurnet Muraî, Thebes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLATE III.

PRE-DYNASTIC CYLINDER SEALS.

1. Three animals in a desert wadŷ (?). M-G.

2-7. Black steatite cylinder-seals, bearing personal names written in

primitive hieroglyphic characters, each name being determined by

the seated figure of a man. These examples are all in the M-G.

Collection, except No. 3, which is in the Amh. Collection.

8 and 9. Black steatite cylinder-seals, bearing personal names (?),

written in primitive hieroglyphic characters, but without a seated

figure determinative. M-G.

10. A personal (?) name reading Asunut. Amh. A fine specimen in wood.

11-13. Three black steatite cylinder-seals, bearing inscriptions of

uncertain meaning. M-G.

14. A beautifully cut ivory cylinder-seal, bearing a personal name

reading Sheden. Murch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLATE IV.

IMPRESSIONS OF EARLY CYLINDER-SEALS.[123]

1.* Birds, gazelles, and other desert animals, with traps for capturing

them. This sealing belongs to the pre-Dynastic group, but was found

in a First Dynasty tomb at Abydos. (P. _R.T._ II, xiv, 104.)

2.* “Aha,” the Horus-name of Menes, the founder of the First Egyptian

Dynasty. (P. _R.T._ II, xiv, 98.)

3. A black steatite cylinder-seal, bearing a hieroglyphic inscription of

uncertain meaning. M-G.

4. A personal name (?). Berl. 14594.

5. “The Royal Daughter, Meh-en-pet-tha.” v-B. (F. _Sc._ 1.)

6. A wooden cylinder-seal, bearing a hieroglyphic inscription of

uncertain meaning. M-G.

7.* “The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Mer-pa-ba.” (P. _R.T._ I, xxvi,

60.) First Dynasty, found at Abydos.

8.* “Sekhem-ab,” the Horus-name of King Per-ab-sen. (P. _R.T._ II, 165.

Besides the hard stones enumerated above, shelly-limestone, schist, and