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This steatite scarab has a flat underside with an inscription on the bottom carved in sunk relief technique. The piece was originally glazed. The top of the scarab is decorated with deep and thick incised details. The workmanship of this piece is good.
This piece originally functioned as an individualized amulet and was once mounted or threaded. The amulet should secure the royal authority for this king, Thutmosis IV (1397-1388 BC), by his close relation to the god Amun; it should provide a private owner with this king's royal patronage.
The royal epithet "Image of Amun" is very popular on scarabs of the New Kingdom.
Egyptian
H: 1/4 x W: 7/16 x L: 9/16 in. (0.7 x 1.1 x 1.5 cm)
medium: light beige-brown steatite
culture: Egyptian
dynasty: 18th Dynasty
reign: Thutmosis IV (1397-1388 BC)
Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Each of the four gospels in this book opens on a page with brilliantly illuminated borders depicting the author of the text as well as birds-principally peacocks, symbols of the immortality of the soul-and fountains, representing the fountain of life and the salvation of the soul. This volume consists of 428 leaves with texts in Greek. Its level of sophistication suggests that it was probably written and decorated in a monastery in Constantinople.
Byzantium, Constantinople
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; leather binding
Sheet: 28 x 23 cm (11 x 9 1/16 in.)
Did you know...
Gospel Books were carried in procession through Byzantine churches.
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
There's one lamp post at the welcome center on I-84 that is *covered* with stickers; this one links to hundreddayhaul.com a book and photojournal of a 100 day 27,000 mile "ring out the 20th century" road trip, at least partly inspired by Emily Dickinson...
Kids that read Succeed! Reading a book is a great excuse for peace and quiet. What will you be reading today on#InternationalLiteracyDay ?
The Roman practice of mounting gold coins as jewelry continued in the Early Byzantine period with this section from a necklace. The other half would have been a mirror image, with gold and lapis lazuli "double-cone" beads and two more coins of Emperor Maurice Tiberios (ruled 582-602). The cross pendant, seen here with a glass bead, may once have contained a precious stone.
Byzantine
H: 7 7/8 x W: 1 1/16 x D: 3/8 in. (20 x 2.6 x 1 cm)
medium: gold, lapis lazuli, and glass
culture: Byzantine
reign: Maurice (AD 582-602)
Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.