A group of three Ancient Egyptian steatite scarabs comprising:
 
a) A small scaraboid, pierced longitudinally, with incised figures to the base representing an Ichneumon or mongoose and a Maat feather. These types are considered to be simple dedications to Atum.
Length 13 mms (0.5 ins).
 
b) A scarab, pierced longitudinally, with incised hieroglyphs to the base. Some of the carving is imprecise so the meaning is unclear, but could represent a bird, an iwn column would symbolize stability or enduring strength, and a vessel. This would make the whole image almost like a compact prayer for a stable, enduring life, a very fitting wish for an amulet.
Length 14 mms (0.55 ins).
 
c) A scaraboid, with a pair of transverse piercings, incised with geometric pattern to the obverse and reverse.
Length 17.3 mms (0.7 ins).
 
2nd- 3rd Intermediate period: Circa 18th-8th century BC.
 
Provenance: All from the Gustave Mustaki collection, a collector of antiquities who amassed large collection in Alexandria (Egypt) in the early 20th century and his collection came to the UK under Egyptian licence in 1947.
 
See our blog post about scarabs