A large, Egyptian brown steatite scarab with apotropaic formula hieroglyphs to the reverse. The top shows a simplified moulded head and clypeus. The base has been finely carved with a beautifully balanced design which contains the hieroglyphic signs for; a wadj sign(?) at the top, above two wadjet; two central Ma'at feathers above a nefer, between linked uraei, and flanking deshret crowns.
Hyksos circa 1650-1550 BC.
Very Fine condition; minor chipping to the edge of the top suspension hole.
Length 25.4 mms (1 inch)
Provenance: D. M. Collection (d. 1993), U.K. A.E Collection, U.K., gifted from the above in 1993. Private Collection, Devon, U.K. gifted from the above in 2018.
There are various possibilities of interpretation based on this reading of the signs. The scarab may have been placed with a deceased person, likely of high status, to invoke protection (Wedjat eyes, Uraei), justification before Osiris (Ma'at feathers), renewal (Wadj), and goodness (Nefer) in the afterlife, while also affirming their earthly association with Lower Egypt.