Scarab ring of Sithathoryunet

This superb example of an early ring was formed from gold and the beetle’s wing cases, thorax and head were inlaid with semi-precious stones. In the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030-1650 B.U.K.), scarab beetles were the preferred design for a ring bezel as the scarab, a symbol of the sun gold Re, emerged as a popular amulet type. Thin gold wire was used to create a ring’s shank and was attached to the bezel in different ways, although most involved wrapping the ends of the wire neatly around the shank in a tight coil as can be seen here. The underside of this ring’s bezel is uninscribed.