{"product_id":"egyptian-tan-steatite-scarab-for-protection-1","title":"Egyptian Tan Steatite Inscribed Scarab for Protection","description":"\u003cp\u003eSecond Intermediate Period circa 1650–1550 B.C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe domed back naturalistically rendered with the beetle's clypeus, prothorax, and elytra, while the flat oval base is deeply engraved with a \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ea falcon wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. In front of the falcon (at right) is a rearing cobra with arms, and at far right is the cobra’s tail. To the left of the falcon is the lion forebody hieroglyph\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ehat,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhich means “foremost.” Above this hieroglyph is a closed lotus bud, and below is an open lotus blossom. The falcon with double crown symbolizes the pharaoh, and the other signs were selected for their individual power such as the rearing cobra and the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ehat\u003c\/i\u003e-hieroglyph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steatite retains its original off-white surface with warm ochre patination in the recesses and toward one edge, and the piece is pierced longitudinally through its length in the manner standard for scarabs intended for suspension or mounting in a ring; a stable old break to one end has left a small loss, with light overall wear and craquelure consistent with its considerable age but no restoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize 16 x 12 mm. L.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scarab's flanking panel arrangement compares well with the Second Intermediate Period design scarabs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. 557102 and 557269), both noted for the same symmetrical Hyksos side-panel convention framing a central device, an animal or figural rendering being one of several variants documented for scarabs of this type. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Compare, Petrie’s Historical Scarabs as well for the type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Provenance: Ex  Satna fe NM collector, Acquired in The USA Market.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53964313657658,"sku":"17809","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/17809.jpg?v=1787767380","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/egyptian-tan-steatite-scarab-for-protection-1","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}