Egyptian Steatite Scarab with a Winged Beetle

A steatite Egyptian, Hyksos period scarab beetle amulet with incised features such as clypeus, prothorax and elytra marked by single lines. The reverse is detailed with various ‘common’ hieroglyphs with deep apotropaic values. Within the scarabs centre is a large, ornate winged beetle. Above it, is a central ‘ankh’ sign (meaning ‘life’), flanked by two opposing falcons. Below the winged beetle sits a central ‘djed’ sign, flanked by two stylized representations of the red crown of Lower Egypt (the Delta region). The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension.