Large Egyptian Amethyst Scarab Amulet

£475.00

A finely carved Egyptian amethyst scarab with incised detailing to form a ridged carapace and naturalistic features. The incisions display the elytra, prothorax with the head and two eyes above. The reverse has been left unadorned. The amethyst stone displays beautiful white natural striations and areas of orange inclusion to the reverse, one larger across the top half and one smaller to the bottom. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension however; it is now blocked.

Date: Circa 2055-1650 BC
Period: Middle Kingdom Period
Condition: Fine condition, with hairline cracks and minor surface chips across the body.

In stock

SKU: CY-255 Category: Tags: , ,

The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the dessert 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.

The name “amethyst” comes from the Greek, ‘amethystos‘, meaning “not intoxicated” (‘ἀ- a-, “not” and μεθύσκω ‘methysko‘ / μεθύω ‘methyo’, “intoxicate”). The Egyptians seem to have held similar beliefs in the protective qualities of the beautiful stone. They believed the stone had talismanic properties against malign influences. The Egyptians would have sourced their amethyst from Nubia, which was a province of Egypt, and the stone was a firm favourite among the pharaohs.

Weight 5.5 g
Dimensions L 2.2 x W 1.1 x H 1.0 cm
Culture

Region

Semi-Precious Stones

Reference: For a similar item, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, accession number 76.31.2645.

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