Large Egyptian Steatite Scarab Dedicated to Ra

£250.00

A large Egyptian steatite scarab with a detailed head and clypeus. The reverse features a simple scene with a central incised ‘nfr’ hieroglyph, which translates as ‘good’ or ‘perfect’. A small sun disk sits above, denoting the god Ra. Thus, the two signs together could be translated as ‘Perfect Ra’. A scroll motif surrounds the two hieroglyphs. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension.

Date: Circa 1782-1550 BC
Period: Second Intermediate Period
Provenance: Ex private UK collection, Mr. DP, formerly acquired from a London ADA dealership, from 2004-2012.
Condition: Very fine. Earthly encrustations to the surface.

SOLD

SKU: CF-021 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.

Scarabs, such as this piece, designed with symmetric compositions of hieroglyphs and scrolls were exceedingly popular in the Second Intermediate Period, produced from 1700 – 1500 BC. This period is marked by Hyksos rule in Egypt and such scarabs show a definite Canaanite aesthetic Scrolls and spirals, in combination with hieroglyphs or other decorative motifs. This imagery embellished the earliest scarab types, and became particularly popular during the Middle Kingdom Period, a period which Canaanite artists took much inspiration from. Whilst scarabs from this period had a limited specific meaning, the hieroglyphs depicted suggest artists were very much aware of their apotropaic values.

Weight 3.94 g
Dimensions L 2 x W 1.4 x H 0.9 cm
Culture

Region

Stone

Reference: For a similar item,The British Museum, item H5115.4

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