Egyptian Turquoise-Glazed Steatite Scarab Dedicated to Amun-Re
£ 595.00
A beautiful, small, turquoise-glazed, steatite Egyptian scarab with incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse is finely decorated with fine, crisp anatomical details. The scarab features a moulded head and clypeus. The prothorax and elytra are formed from multiple, inscribed, lines. Triangular indentations at the sides indicate the insect’s feet.
The reverse features a clear depiction of a zoomorphic figure. It appears to be a ram’s head, shown in profile. On his head he wears a crown; two feathers flanking a central sun disc. Beneath the ram is a commonly used filler sign; a ‘neb’ basket. The ram depicts the Egyptian god Amun, who was depicted as a ram headed figure.
The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1550 - 1070 BC Period: New Kingdom Period Condition: Excellent condition with clear details. Retains much of the original colouring.
Amun was one of the principle deities within the Egyptian pantheon. Worshipped from the Old Kingdom, his importance grew and he was eventually placed as the patron god of Thebes. His national importance was affirmed with the fusion of Amun and the sky-god, Ra, to become Amun-Ra. He was associated by the Ancient Greeks to Zeus. He was depicted as a man wearing two upright white feathers. Together with the solar disc, this scarab invokes the protection of Amun-Re.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
