Heart Scarab of Nesypa with "Heart Spell"

Place of OriginEgypt

Date26th Dynasty (664–525 BCE), about 600 BCE

Dimensions2 1/2 × 1 3/4 × 7/8 in. (6.4 × 4.4 × 2.2 cm)

MediumGreywacke.

ClassificationJewelry

Credit LineGift of Henry W. Wilhelm

Object number

1927.142

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

DescriptionScarab, Heart. Back: naturalistic; base inscribed; pierced lengthwise; slightly chipped; stained dark brown.

Label TextDue to its associations with the daily rebirth of the sun, the scarab had a strong connection with life after death. An important use of its image was as an amulet, a sculpted magical charm. Placed with a mummified body, it was a substitute for the heart should the real one—considered the seat of thought, emotions, and the soul—be damaged. This example is inscribed underneath with the deceased’s name, Nesypa, and with the “Heart Spell” from the magical texts called the Book of the Dead. The Heart Spell ensures that the deceased’s heart does not betray him during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, where it is balanced against the feather of Maat—the goddess of truth and cosmic harmony—in the presence of Osiris. Passing this test granted Nesypa access to the afterlife.Published References

Peck, William H., Sandra E. Knudsen and Paula Reich, Egypt in Toledo: The Ancient Egyptian Collection at the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Toledo Museum of Art, 2011, p. 81, repr. (col.).

Exhibition History

Toledo Museum of Art, The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb, October 29, 2010-January 8, 2012.