Advanced Search 
Heart scarab of Nebseny
Egyptian
Late Period, Dynasty 25–30
760–332 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Stone
Dimensions
Height x width x length: 2.3 x 4.7 x 6 cm (7/8 x 1 7/8 x 2 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.973
OUT ON LOAN
On display at Houston Museum of Natural Science, TX, May 17, 2013 – December 31, 2024
On display at Houston Museum of Natural Science, TX, May 17, 2013 – December 31, 2024
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Scarabs and scaraboids
DescriptionHeart scarab of dark green stone, possibly basalt. Schematic-naturalistic back type with, smooth with incised detailing and intricately carved head with well defined clypeus. Base carries ten horizontal lines of incised hieroglyphic text (Book of the Dead Spell 30B). Not pierced, intact with slight traces of gilding.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.
(Accession date: June 28, 1872)
(Accession date: June 28, 1872)