Ancient Egyptian Steatite Hyksos Period Scarab
£ 750.00
A spectacular ancient Egyptian steatite scarab from the Second Intermediate Period, with incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse depicts a finely detailed head and clypeus. There are a multitude of incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. Split into three registers, the scarab is filled with apotropaic symbols typical of the period. To the top register is a prominent ‘ib’ or heart hieroglyph, with a broad collar ‘nebu’ sign beneath, referring to the preciousness of gold. The second register features a large sphinx at its centre, crowned with the Deshret red crown of Lower Egypt. An undulating ureaus stands to attention before the sphinx, with a small Djed pillar situated above. The lower register and smallest of the three features two Deshret crowns. The signs are surrounded by a rope border. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1650–1550 BC
Period: Second Intermediate Period
Provenance: Ex private UK collection, Cambridge, Mr. S. collection.
Condition: Superb condition with very clear hieroglyphs on the reverse.
In stock
The term ‘Hyksos’ can be traced back to the Egyptian expression ‘heka khasewet’, which means, “rulers of foreign lands”. The Hyksos of the fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt, ruling during the Second Intermediate Period, were thus of non-Egyptian origin. They were probably Canaanite, and one tends to find the names of rulers on their scarabs. The Hyksos Kingdom was centred in the eastern Nile Delta and Middle Egypt. It was limited in size, never extending south into Upper Egypt, and Memphis was its capital. The Deshret crown of Lower Egypt frequently occurs on Hyksos scarabs to denote their conquered region.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
