C. 1630-1550 BC- Second Intermediate Period

A very nice example of an Egyptian steatite scarab featuring a royal title inscribed in hieroglyphs. The obverse of the scarab is domed with detailed carvings of anatomical features, to the sides are grooves, representing the legs of the beetle. The base is engraved in three rows of hieroglyphs. The first row depicts a duck/goose with a plant and comb. The second features the royal title, a bee, ‘bity’, to the right with a sedge hieroglyph, ‘nswt’ to the left, together representing the  title of the pharaoh ‘nswt-bjtj’, or ‘King of Upper and Lower Egypt’. The last row depicts the sign of a lung and windpipe ‘nfr’, meaning ‘good’ or ‘beautiful, flanked by Eye’s of Horus, symbol representing protection, health, and restoration. It is also pierced longitudinally for suspension.

Intact and in very good condition with clear carvings and hieroglyphs and of a nice size.

Provenance: Ex N. Thomas Collection, collected in the 1980’s-1990’s.

Size: L: 23m x W: 17mm x H: 10mm