Ca. 664-332 BC
An Egyptian steatite scarab with incised features and hieroglyphs to the reverse. The front anatomy features a detailed head and clypeus with incised linear decoration to mark the prothorax and elytra. The reverse side is hard to distinguish. Mounted in a high karat later gold swivel pendant.

The scarab amulet is an especially popular type in Egypt as it was believed to transfer the powers of life and regeneration. This is because the scarab beetle was believed to generate itself spontaneously in the ground, and its behavior of rolling large dung balls was associated with the sun’s daily movement across the sky.
 
Provenance: Private London collection, UK art market before 2000.