Object Description
A fine, ancient Egyptian, steatite scarab featuring a hieroglyphic inscription. The obverse of the scarab is carefully engraved to portray the beetle’s head, eyes and clypeus. Ridges to the sides curving towards the prothorax indicate the legs, and are adorned with short, feathered incisions. On the flat reverse, a hieroglyphic inscription is composed of three large signs likely signifying royal rule of Lower Egypt. The first sign, to the left, is the ‘nfr’ sign, described as a lung and windpipe, meaning ‘good or beautiful’. It is followed by a bee, ‘bty’, representing kingship over Lower Egypt. The final sign is a group of papyrus stems, the plant associated to Lower Egypt . A motif of eight, continuous spiralling scrolls encircles the three signs. The amulet is perforated longitudinally for suspension, and features a circular terminal at each perforation hole.
Date: Circa 1980-1550 BC
Period: Middle Kingdom – Second Intermediate Period