Egyptian Steatite Scarab Dedicated to Amun

£ 425.00

A steatite Egyptian scarab incised with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse features are simplistic, with only small marks on either side to indicate a prothorax, though more decoration is focussed on the head and clypeus. On the reverse are incised hieroglyphs, dedicating this scarab to the god Amun. The deity is represented as a seated figure holding an ‘ankh’. To his right is a large water jar sign which translates as ‘praise’. There is a hole longitudinally pierced through for suspension, however this is now blocked.

Date: 1650-1550 BC
Period: Hyksos Period, 15th Dynasty, Second Intermediate Period
Condition: Very fine condition- repairs to the obverse

SOLD

SKU: NS-01 Category: Tags: , ,

Amun was one of the principle deities within the Egyptian pantheon. Worshipped from the Old Kingdom, his importance grew and he was eventually placed as the patron god of Thebes. His national importance was affirmed with the fusion of Amun and the sky-god, Ra, to become Amun-Ra. He was associated by the Ancient Greeks to Zeus. Not seen on scarabs before the 18th Dynasty, the name Amun or Amun-Ra became a popular inscription on amulets in both Egypt and Palestine for the duration of the New Kingdom. These commonly display the name of the god alone and filling their entire field, or accompanied by additional motifs as seen on this piece. The popularity of scarabs dedicated to Amun can be linked with the revival of the deity’s cult after the 2nd Intermediate Period. Scarabs such as this, asking for protection from a specific god were popular in the late New Kingdom Period and Third Intermediate Period.

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

Weight 3.5 g
Dimensions L 1.9 cm
Culture

Egyptian Mythology

Region

Stone