Object Description
A very fine Ancient Egyptian steatite scarab mounted in a gold frame and featuring a hieroglyphic inscription to the base. Signs of glazing is visible to both sides of the scarab. The obverse is rounded and carefully incised with anatomical details of a scarab beetle, including the eyes and clypeus at the head, and the prothorax and wing cases on the body. A band of gold, adorned with four impressed crescents on either side, frames the scarab. The edges of the band display small triangular protrusions used to hold the scarab in place. Each end features a finial of granulated spheres, arranged in a circle around the central perforation for suspension. The flat base exhibits three prominent hieroglyphs: an uraeus facing right, the goddess Ma’at, depicted crouching and facing left, and the neb basket sign, meaning ‘Lord’, at the base. The uraeus and goddess feature ornaments atop their head, likely feathers of Ma’at. Some wear and discolouration to the surface of the scarab and edges of the mount. Earthy encrustations to the finials.
Date: Circa 1550-1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom Period