Egyptian Hardstone Scarab Amulet

The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the dessert mirrored the journey of the sun across the sky from day to night. As the beetle laid its eggs within the dung, it became a symbol of rebirth and regeneration. Scarabs hence served amuletic functions and were placed in tombs or worn as jewellery throughout Egypt and the Middle East.