Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century BCE. An ornate, turquoise blue faience winged scarab, molded separately in three parts, the wings and scarab finely modeled and highly detailed. All are pierced for attachment to the bandages of a mummy in multiple places. Size: scarab measures 2.625" L x 1.5" W (6.7 cm x 3.8 cm); each wing measures ~ 1.375" L x 2.875" W (3.5 cm x 7.3 cm); ensemble measures 7.375" W x 4.125" H (18.7 cm x 10.5 cm) on stand

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 Period, they had also become part of the increasingly elaborate ensemble of items placed with the deceased for their eternal protection. The blue hues of the faience were intended to symbolize the regenerative powers of the Nile.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#122317

Minor encrustation and wear to peripheries. Overall excellent.