Object Description
A fine Ancient Phoenician-Egyptian haematite scarab amulet featuring a hieroglyphic inscription to the reverse. The rounded obverse depicts the anatomical details of the scarab, with fine incisions outlining the head and clypeus, now slightly worn, and two diagonal impressions indicating the eyes. The rest of the obverse is smooth and unadorned. Regular horizontal incisions to the sides of the scarab indicate the legs. On the flat reverse, the top register is inscribed with a falcon facing right and a lotus flower facing left. Beneath, two uraei flank an altar bearing a zigzag offering, possibly representing flames. This inscription likely reads as a wish for good fortune, expressed through a collection of apotropaic symbols. The scarab was pierced longitudinally for suspension, though this is now filled. Some wear and earthy encrustations feature to the surface, including a vertical indentation across the obverse. A shallow scratch runs diagonally across the reverse face, lightly obscuring some hieroglyphs.
Date: Circa 900-332 BC
Period: Third Intermediate – Late Dynastic Period