A small, finely carved Egyptian steatite scarab with incised dedication. The moulded obverse is divided into a head and a back which is divided into prothorax and elytra. The sides of the scarab are intricately adorned with incised, ridged lines that represent its legs. The reverse contains a depiction of a seated god, most likely Amun, holding a sceptre. Next to the figure is a 'hes' jar, which translates to 'praise', and thus this scarab was a dedication towards Amun. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Egyptian New Kingdom Period: Circa 1550-1070 BC
Condition: Very fine condition. Some earthly encrustations.
Length 12.2 mms (0.48 ins)
Amun was one of the principal 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. Not seen on scarabs before the 18th Dynasty, the name Amun or Amun-Ra became a popular inscription on amulets in both Egypt and Palestine for the duration of the New Kingdom. These commonly display the name of the god alone and filling their entire field or accompanied by additional motifs as seen on this piece. The popularity of scarabs dedicated to Amun can be linked with the revival of the deity's cult after the Second Intermediate Period.