In ancient Egyptian religion, the scarab (dung beetle) was an important symbol. The dung beetle (Scarabaeus sacer) lays its eggs in dung balls fashioned through rolling. This beetle was associated with the divine manifestation of the early morning sun, Khepri, whose name was written with the scarab hieroglyph and who was believed to roll the disk of the morning sun over the eastern horizon at daybreak. Since the scarab hieroglyph, Kheper, refers variously to the ideas of existence, manifestation, development, growth, and effectiveness, the beetle itself was a favourite form used for amulets in all periods of Egyptian history.

This is part of a large collection of antiquities, including Egyptian faience figures, bronze figurines, scarabs and earthenware objects. They originate from Egypt, Italy, India and the Middle East.

Scarab, stone, maker unknown, Egypt, date unknown

The figurine is a stylised representation of a scarab beetle made from a black/grey stone. There was an inscription on the obverse side which is now worn away.

Made: Egypt

No marks

A6494-27

21 mm

40 mm