Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A beautiful scarab pendant that is hand-carved from warm citrine-hued carnelian and set into a modern 18K gold swivel ring setting. The petite insect exhibits a frilled clypeus in front of a semicircular head, sinuous legs, and broad elytra folded atop its back. A pin is inserted through the lengthwise suspension hole to enable a bit of movement. Size (ring): 0.83" W x 0.83" H (2.1 cm x 2.1 cm); (scarab): 0.59" L x 0.35" W (1.5 cm x 0.9 cm); gold quality: 18K; weight: 3.9 grams; US ring size: 5

Scarabs were important symbols in ancient Egypt, as the beetle was believed to represent a divine manifestation of the morning sun, the deity Khepri, whose name was comprised of the scarab hieroglyph and was understood to roll the morning sun disk over the eastern horizon precisely at daybreak. Amulets of the scarab were immensely popular for over a thousand years in ancient Egypt, as the scarab was a symbol with immense staying power, akin to that of the Christian cross. Scarabs were worn and carried by the living, and by the time of the Late Dynastic Period, they had also become part of the increasingly elaborate ensemble of items placed with the deceased for their eternal protection.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-prominent family collection, Washington, DC, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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#173292

Wearable as shown and constructed in modern times. Scarab is ancient; gold ring setting is modern. Fissure on underside of scarab, with minor softening to some finer details. Great surfaces to scarab.