Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Feather of Ma’at
Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Feather of Ma’at
Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Feather of Ma’at
Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Feather of Ma’at

Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Feather of Ma’at

$216.14

A steatite Egyptian scarab with incised features such as the clypeus, prothorax and elytra marked by single lines. The scarab is decorated to the reverse with two large central hieroglyphs, a rearing uraeus cobra and a Ma’at feather. A smaller ‘nefer’ hieroglyph has been inscribed to the right of the feather, whilst two ‘neb’ basket signs are placed at opposing ends. The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension.

Date: Circa 1070 – 664 BC
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Provenance: from the Gustave Mustaki collection, a collector of antiquities who amassed a large collection in Alexandria (Egypt).
Condition: Excellent. With very fine and clearly defined hieroglyphs.

SOLD

SKU: AH-888 Category: Tags: , ,

Ma’at was the Egyptian goddess and personification of truth, harmony, law and justice. She was depicted wearing an ostrich feather, symbol of truth. She represented the principles that every Egyptian citizen was expected to follow through their daily lives. She was especially important within the afterlife and the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony, when the heart of the deceased was measured against Ma’at’s feather.

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 1.07 g
Dimensions L 1.2 cm
Culture

Egyptian Mythology

Region

Stone

Reference: For Similar: The British Museum, London, item 103264