Carnelian Ring with Wadjet-eye
Artist
Ancient Egyptian
DateNew Kingdom, about 1539–1077 BCE
Mediumcarnelian
Dimensions2.5 × 2.3 × 1 cm (1 × 15/16 × 7/16 in.)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineMrs. Kingsmill Marrs Collection
Object number1926.96
Descriptioncarnelian ring inscribed with a wadjet-eye, semi-translucent orange stripped with darker orange, form of a signet ring with a thick band that flows into a flat oval bezelLabel TextThe earliest finger rings in ancient Egypt were made of undecorated bands of shell, stone, or metal wire followed by wires with scarab bezels. By the New Kingdom, signet rings (a seal in the form of a ring with a flat bezel) carved from semiprecious stones or cast in precious metal were the height of fashion. Lighter and less valuable variations were made in colorful faience. Egyptian signs, symbols, hieroglyphs, and royal names in cartouches were favorite motifs represented on bezels.ProvenanceFormerly of Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs Collection; bequeathed by Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs to the Worcester Art Museum, 1925–1926.
On View
Not on view
Ancient Egyptian
scarab: New Kingdom, about 1539–1077 BCE; gold mount: modern
Ancient Egyptian
scarab: Second Intermediate Period, 1759–about 1539 BCE; gold mount: modern
