Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Horse and Hieroglyphs

£ 450.00

A finely carved Egyptian steatite scarab, with a detailed obverse incised to depict the detailed clypeus and head, while single inscribed lines have been used to depict the prothorax and elytra. To the reverse is a large inscribed horse, depicted facing right and walking. Before the animal is a small ‘nfr’ hieroglyph, translating as ‘good’ or ‘beautiful’. There is a slightly elongated sun disk to the top left.

Date: Circa 1550-1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom
Provenance: Ex private UK collection, Mr. DP, formerly acquired from a London ADA dealership, from 2004-2012.
Condition: Fine. Minor chips to the base and suspension hole. Hairline cracks across the surface of the scarab.

SOLD

SKU: CF-23 Category: Tags: , , ,

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. These scarab beetle amulets were made in various forms, such as heart scarabs, commemorative scarabs, and scarab amulets, thus catering to different functions. Scarab amulets were believed to have magical rejuvenating properties, used by both the living and the dead.

Horses were introduced into Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (about 1700-1550 BC), with the invasion of the Hyksos. During the New Kingdom Period, horses became the animals of the military and ruling elites, and were typically used to pull chariots, as opposed to being ridden or used for labour. As very few could afford them, horses became associated with royal authority and the gods.

Weight 4.11 g
Dimensions L 2.2 x W 1.6 x H 0.9 cm
Culture

Region

Stone

Reference: For a similar item,The British Museum, item 1914,0216.274

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