Lot 3B
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A potent emblem of rebirth and protection, this finely carved black stone scarab captures the timeless symbolism of the dung beetle in ancient Egyptian belief. Shaped with a domed back and delicately incised striations to represent the wing cases, the beetle's form is naturalistic yet stylized, with its head, clypeus, and leg folds clearly articulated. The stone is polished and smoothed from age and handling, its base worn flat and undecorated, suggesting it may have once been mounted or inset. Scarab amulets held deep spiritual and magical significance throughout ancient Egyptian history. Representing the sacred dung beetle Khepri - the solar deity who rolled the sun across the sky - the scarab became a symbol of regeneration, self-creation, and the eternal cycle of life. Size: 1.3" L x 0.9" W x 0.6" H (3.3 cm x 2.3 cm x 1.5 cm); 1.4" H (3.6 cm) on included custom stand.
During the Late Dynastic Period, such amulets were commonly made of faience, steatite, or stone, often buried with the deceased or worn by the living for protection and favor in the afterlife. This example, with its elegantly modeled form and rich black surface, would have served as both a personal talisman and a cosmological statement - a votive echo of the great forces that governed the ancient Egyptian world.
Provenance: private Lake Forest, Illinois, USA collection, acquired from Medusa Ancient Art, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, February 2, 2014; ex-European art market, 1970s
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#196100
- Condition: Light surface wear, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining detail.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |