Object Description
A large, Egyptian, steatite button seal featuring a rosette to the obverse and a decorated reverse. The front features a multi-petalled rosette, with a concentric circular centre. The reverse features a stylised motif, with apotropaic signs. At the centre is a squatting figure, arms reaching out. Underneath is another figure, but slightly ambiguous. It could possibly another figure or animal. Beneath these two figures are three stylised signs, including the heart and windpipe ‘nfr’ sign, which translates as ‘good’. Encircling the hieroglyphs are scroll patterns, acting as a border. Such motifs were common on Middle Kingdom scarabs. The amulet is pierced at various intersections for suspensions.
Date: Circa 1850–1640 BC
Period: Middle Kingdom