Egyptian scarab pendant

960,00€

Egyptian scarab pendant in 14 karat rose gold. Pendant featuring a steatite scarab mounted on a pivot, the reverse engraved with a lion walking to the right, tail over back. The lion already appears on early Middle Kingdom scarabs, but is particularly popular during the Second Intermediate Period and the New Kingdom. Pendant dating from the 13th to 15th dynasties, 1650-1550 B.C.; late 19th century gold mount.

Shell hallmark (french state hallmark for 14 karats)

Height: 26 mm
Width: 26 mm

Condition: wears and lacks on the stone

Weight : 7.78 gr

*The antique gold chain is not sold with the jewel*
See our antique chains

Description

Shell hallmark (french state hallmark for 14 karats)

Height: 26 mm
Width: 26 mm

Condition: wears and lacks on the stone

Weight : 7.78 gr

*The antique gold chain is not sold with the jewel*
See our antique chains

Learn more: In ancient Egypt, the scarab was an extremely powerful symbol, particularly in relation to the god Khepri. Khepri, represented as a beetle-headed man or simply as a beetle, is associated with the daily rebirth of the sun. Khepri’s very name means “to become” or “to come into existence”, and he personifies the rising sun, symbolizing renewal and transformation. The beetle has become a protective symbol, widely used in the form of amulets, in tombs and funeral rituals. It also embodies the principle of resurrection and immortality, in line with the Egyptians’ belief in life after death and an eternal cycle of transformation. In the 2000 years or so between the Old Kingdom and the Ptolemaic and Roman eras, small scarab-shaped amulets became extremely popular.

Their distribution then extended far beyond ancient Egypt, throughout the Mediterranean basin. Litterature: Richard H. Wilkinson, Egyptian Scarabs, Shire Egyptology (2008); https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/553364