Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Amun-Ra and Horus

$284.34

A steatite Egyptian scarab beetle amulet with incised features such as clypeus, prothorax and elytra marked by single lines. The reverse features an incised depiction of two figures, most likely deities. They both appear to be represented as falcon-headed male figures, suggesting that they are the gods Amun-Ra and Horus. The inclusion of the sun-disc to the top of the hieroglyph would also suggest that the figures depicted are solar deities.

Date: Circa 1550 - 1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom Period
Provenance: From the Gustave Mustaki collection, a collector of antiquities who amassed a large collection in Alexandria (Egypt).
Condition: Excellent condition. With very fine and clearly defined hieroglyphs.

SOLD

SKU: LD-193 Category: Tags: ,

The Egyptian god, Amun-Ra, was a highly important deity in the Egyptian pantheon. Originally, he was worshipped as two gods, the creator of the universe, Amun, and the sun-god, Ra. He gains national importance after the defeat of the Hyksos at Thebes in the 16th century and it is from this date we see a combination of the two gods. As his position grew, Amun-Ra’s worship was almost monotheistic in nature, with the other gods considered manifestations of him. So great was his influence that he was identified with the Greek god Zeus from the Ptolemaic period, to form Zeus Ammon. Alexander the Great claimed divine descent as the son of Amun.

The Egyptian god Horus was depicted as a falcon-headed man and the term ‘Horus’ refers usually to either two gods; Horus the Elder or Horus the Younger. Considered the most important of the avian deities, the figure of falcon-headed Horus was represented in a myriad of ways. As Horus the Younger, son of the gods Osiris and Isis, he was regarded as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. Thus, all pharaohs were considered the living embodiment of Horus. He was primarily a sky god, associated with the sun and with the moon. His frequently used symbols were the eye of Horus and the falcon.

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

Weight 1.27 g
Dimensions L 1.4 x W 1.1 cm
Culture

Egyptian Mythology

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Stone

Region

Reference: The British Museum, Registration Number 1837,0717.40