Name: Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs
SKU: CFF-138
Availability: InStock

Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

£ 150.00

An Ancient Egyptian steatite scarab featuring a hieroglyphic inscription. The convex obverse of the scarab features incised anatomical details, including the clypeus, prothorax, elytra and well-shaped legs. The flat base features a series of apotropaic hieroglyphs. The top left is now slightly chipped but could have possibly featured the sun disc (𓏸) to the right is the backbone and spinal cord (𓄪). To the centre of the scarab there is the symbol for two horizons (𓈃) with a water jar to the left (𓎿) and perhaps a simplified djed pillar to the right (𓊽). The bottom of the scarab displays a large neb basket (𓎟). The scarab is pierced longitudinally for suspension and there is a chip to the top left corner of the base.

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In stock

The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the desert 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. It was not uncommon for hieroglyphs found on scarab amulets to be apotropaic, instead of creating phrases or sentences, their purpose was instead to invoke good omens and provide protection for the wearer, depending on the glyphs incised.

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