Egyptian Scarab, the ancient Egyptian symbol of resurrection, Second Intermediate authentic 1782-1570 BC, Heiroglyphs

Authentic Egyptian scarab authentic. Limestone scarab beetle, a symbol of the enduring human soul. On the bottom, incised hieroglyphics. Drill hole for wearing. Second Intermediate Period 1782-1570 BC. Scarabs were worn as jewelry and amulets in Egypt. Being a common form like a charm, everyone could afford them and easily wear strung on a cord and worn like a necklace. They were already known in the Old Kingdom, and in the First Intermediate Period, the undersides were decorated with hieroglyphs. Many heart Scarabs bear a spell on the flat side. Scarabs are the most numerous amulets and were produced well beyond the dynastic periods. They were used and worn by both the rich and the poor. They were made in a wide variety of materials, such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, basalt, limestone, malachite, schist, serpentine, turquoise, colored glass, ivory, resin, steatite, bronze and alabaster. Along with the pyramids, sphinxes, and mummies the scarab amulet is probably the most familiar object representing Egypt. Although scarabs have been collected for centuries and with particular interest in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this has not been true since the period before the Second World War. We believe this to be the first catalog after that time offering scarabs to collectors which does not simply add a few scarabs to a general offering of antiquities. The meaning of the Kheper or Scarab is becoming, being, metamorphosing, generation, new life, virility, resurrection; certainly an essential symbol in Egyptian art. Although there is some disagreement as to when the scarab amulet was first made, it is generally accepted that with the beginning of the Middle Kingdom the form was being used. Of the literature available on scarabs the majority has been published between the last quarter of the nineteenth century through the period just before the second world war. As a general introduction one could select from any number of works from this period, but I think part of the first paragraph from W.F.M. Petrie's classic work Scarabs and Cylinders with Names, published in 1917, serves this purpose admirably. The little amulets of beetle form, which are the most usual production of Egyptian art, have fascinated the amateur collector for a century past, but have not yet fully received the scientific attention which is due to them. The most obviously interesting class of them are those with the names of kings, of the royal family, and of officials. These carry with them in most cases a dating, which fixes their historical position. They stand thus to Egyptian history much as coins stand in relation to Western history. They often add historical matter which is otherwise lost to us; and the style of their art and manufacture serves as an index to the changes which went on in the civilization. This authentic Scarab measures approximately 1/2 inch, with no erosion on the top surface and some erosion loss of detail in the hieroglyphs underneath. A chance to own a genuine Egyptian antiquity, and this will come with a Certificate of Authenticity and lifetime guarantee.