Egypt, Late Dynastic to early Ptolemaic periods, ca. 712 to 30 BCE. An ornate green-glazed faience scarab and accompanying wings, molded separately in three parts, each component being finely modeled and well-detailed. The wings display a series of fuchsia-hued linear bands representing feathers, and the scarab exhibits similarly-colored areas on the top. All are pierced for attachment to the bandages of a mummy in multiple places. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size (scarab): 1.75" H (4.4 cm); size (each wing): 1.5" W (3.8 cm); 2.1" H (5.3 cm) on included custom 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 Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#132807

Repairs to areas of both wings with light adhesive residue along break lines. All components have surface wear commensurate with age, small nicks around peripheries, and fading to pigmentation and some molded details, otherwise very good. Nice earthen deposits throughout.