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Excellent Ancient Egyptian Design Scarab

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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Egyptian: Pre AD 1000: Item # 719964

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Excellent Ancient Egyptian Design Scarab
The scarab held special significance for the Egyptians as a representation of the the creator and solar deity, Khepri. The scarab beetle rolls its eggs in a ball of dung along the ground, which the Egyptians held as symbolic of Khepri pushing the sun across the sky. As baby beetles were seen to emerge from the dung, scarabs were thought capable of spontaneous creation, further linking them to Khepri through his function as a creator god. From the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055-1650 BC) onward, the scarab-form amulet became popular as a form of jewelery, oftentimes inscribed on the bottom with a cartouche or mark of the owner.

This exceptionally well-carved scarab has the inscription "neferre" ("beautiful Re") set within a pattern of S-scroll decorations.

AGE: Second Intermediate Period, 1783-1532 B.C.

CONDITION: One small chip to the lower left corner, as shown in the photos, barely infringes on the seal surface. The dorsal surface is very well done with ornate scrolls and good detailing on the head and legs.

DIMENSIONS: About 3/4" long (1.91 cm)



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