Description:

Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A granite "heart" scarab with carved details of the head, wings, and legs. Heart scarabs are amulets that were used as personal protection, jewelry, and grave goods. In the Book of the Dead, they are prescribed to be made of stone. A scarab like this one most likely would have been placed inside of a mummy's wrappings over its heart, which the ancient Egyptians believed to be the seat of the mind. After death, according to their beliefs, an individual's heart would be weighed against a feather by the jackal god Anubis before a panel of deities who waited at the gateway to the netherworld to judge the dead. If the heart was lighter than a feather, then the deceased could pass into the next life; if not, they would be devoured by a monster and cease to exist. This example is uninscribed and finely carved. Size: 0.75" W x 1.1" H (1.9 cm x 2.8 cm)

Provenance: private Lexington, Kentucky, USA collection; ex-private Virginia, USA collection, acquired from Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-Dr. John Winnie collection, Georgia, USA, acquired in the 1980s to 1990s

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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#139715

  • Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age, with nice remaining detail.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 7, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000