Object Description
An ancient Egyptian, steatite scarab with incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The moulded obverse features a stylised head and clypeus, whilst dissecting lines divide the prothorax and elytra. The sides of the scarab are decorated with deep, linear incisions to represents its legs. The reverse features three clear hieroglyphs. To the top is a circular sun disc, ‘re’, followed by ‘htp’, meaning ‘satisfied’ and described as a loaf on mat. The third and final sign is a broad collared necklace, transliterated as ‘nbw’ and translates as ‘gold’. The scarab is pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 664 – 332 BC
Period: Late Period