Egyptian Steatite Scarab Dedicated to the Hyksos King Seshi

An ancient Egyptian, steatite scarab, inscribed with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse is minimalistic in detail, a simple raised triangle indicating the head and clypeus. Two subtle notches on either side of the body suggest a prothorax. Striations near the head and towards the suspension hole indicate the feathered feet. On the reverse are three vertical registers, the outer two symmetrical in nature, all featuring heiroglyphs. The central register begins at the top with two recognisable hieroglyphs; the trachea sign and the flagpole. These two hieroglyphs transliterate as ‘nṯr-nfr’ and translate as ‘perfect god’. Beneath these two signs are four signs which make up the prenomen of the Second Intermediate Period pharaoh, Sheshi. The signs include: a ‘Ra’ sun disc, a sickle, and extended forearm and the ‘ib’ heart hieroglyph. These four signs combine to form the transliteration mꜢꜤ-ib-rꜤ, Maa ib Ra. This translates as ‘The Righteous One is the heart of Ra’. The final two signs, situated next to each other, are another pair of formulaic signs. To the left is a cone, an ideogram of a loaf of bread and used in pharaonic statements. It translates as ‘to give’. The last sign is a familiar ‘ankh’ symbol, which translates as ‘life’. Thus the whole sentence reads: Perfect god, Maa ib Ra, given life. The two flanking registers feature two hieroglyphs; a stylised fish and an ankh. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension.