A finely engraved Egyptian steate scarab beetle amulet with incised features such as clypeus, prothorax and elytra marked by single lines. The reverse features a depiction of the god Horus, depicted as a falcon holding a flail. To his left is the ‘nfr’ heart and windpipe sign, translated as ‘good’ or ‘perfect’. To the bird’s right is the ‘ankh’ hieroglyph, which translates as ‘life’. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1550 - 1070 BC Period: New Kingdom Period Provenance: Ex Mustaki Collection. The scarab comes from the Mustaki Collection. Mustaki was an avid collector in the early 20th century and his collection came to the UK under Egyptian licence in 1947. Many of his pieces are in major museums worldwide, including the British Museum, the Getty Museum and the Egyptian State Museum. This collection and this item has been catalogued by Carol Andrews (formerly Egyptian Department in the British Museum). Condition: Fine, complete and intact.
The Egyptian god Horus was depicted as a falcon-headed man and the term ‘Horus’ refers usually to either two gods; Horus the Elder or Horus the Younger. Considered the most important of the avian deities, the figure of falcon-headed Horus was represented in a myriad of ways. As Horus the Younger, son of the gods Osiris and Isis, he was regarded as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. Thus, all pharaohs were considered the living embodiment of Horus. He was primarily a sky god, associated with the sun and with the moon. His frequently used symbols were the eye of Horus and the falcon.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
