Ancient Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hunting Scene

Ancient Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hunting Scene

Name: Ancient Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hunting Scene
SKU: HD-42
Price: 450.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£ 450.00

A large, steatite, Egyptian stylised scarab with an inscribed scene to the reverse. The obverse is anatomically simplified, with attention paid to the head and clypeus only. The reverse features a large figure to the left. He holds a spear, raised in motion. He wears a short kilt skirt and a rounded crown. He can therefore be identified as a pharaoh wearing the blue crown of Egypt, known as a Khepresh. The pharoah grasps a spear that he directs at a smaller figure, most likely an enemy captive or hunted animal.

Date: Circa 1650-1070 BC
Period: Second Intermediate Period – New Kingdom
Provenance: Ex private UK collection, Cambridge, Mr. S. collection. Previously ex P. Chapman, purchased 1994, J. Cummings.
Condition: Fine condition. Clear hieroglyphs to the reverse. Chip to the obverse and some wear to the top and sides. Hunting scene remains largely intact.

In stock

SKU: HD-42 Category: Scarabs Tags: Hunting Scene, Inscription, Insects, Male Figures

Description
Additional information

For the Ancient Egyptians, amulets were not only decorative but also utilitarian as an apotropaic force. Many amulets have been found inside the wrapping of mummies to ensure a safe journey into the afterlife, but amulets were also used by the living for protection or in order to have their wishes granted. Amulets had different meanings depending on their type or form, and small amulets depicting the gods, whether in a human or animal form, were thought to induce protective powers over the wearer.

The portrayal of the pharaoh wearing the blue ‘khepresh’ crown was one that gained popularity during the New Kingdom. It had powerful connotations with rebirth and solar imagery. The term ‘khepresh’ also phonetically alluded to the solar deity, Khepri, who was often represented as a scarab-faced man. It was also believed that the ruler who worse the Khepresh crown was the god’s representative on Earth, a living king and the representative of Amun-Re.

To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.