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, earthenware, Egypt, date unknown

The figurine is a stylised representation of a scarab beetle. The flat underside features an engraved hieroglyphic inscription featuring a four-legged creature (lion) with a human-like head (possibly a sphinx). A fimo impression was created by Conservation (A6494-39R).

Made: Egypt

No marks

A6494-39

6 mm

11 mm