Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

$372.57

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 ‘ankh’ signs (meaning ‘life’), interspersed with two ‘nfr’ signs (meaning perfect, good). The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension.

Date: Circa 1700–1500 BC
Period: Second Intermediate Period, Dynasty 13 to 17
Provenance: From the Gustave Mustaki collection, a collector of antiquities who amassed a large collection in Alexandria (Egypt).
Condition: Fine condition, surfaces and detailing a little worn due to ageing.

In stock

SKU: GL-16 Category: Tags: ,

The Hyksos period, during the late Middle Kingdom, was a period of foreign rule by a succession of Asiatic chieftains, hailing from the Levant. Craftsmen followed on the tradition of using scarabs as protection amulets however their style and motifs were different. A scarab such as this, typical of the Hyksos style, features characteristic ‘Egyptian’ hieroglyphs formulated into a symmetrical pattern. The Hyksos recognised the apotropaic values of the scarab and one such as this, with the ankh and nfr signs, would have been exceedingly popular.

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

Weight 1.1 g
Dimensions L 1.2 x W 0.5 cm
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