An Ancient Egyptian glazed steatite scarab decorated with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse features a stylised head and clypeus. Linear striations mark the elytra. To the reverse are various hieroglyphs included the shield sign, dedicated to the goddess Neith and a large bird, possibly for Amun. Most likely these signs were apotropaic, offering protection to the owner. The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the desert mirrored the journey of the sun across the sky from day to night. As the beetle laid its eggs within the dung, it became a symbol of rebirth and regeneration. These scarab beetle amulets were made in various forms, such as heart scarabs, commemorative scarabs, and scarab amulets, thus catering to different functions. Scarab amulets were believed to have magical rejuvenating properties, used by both the living and the dead. The Egyptian god, Amun-Ra, was a highly important deity in the Egyptian pantheon. Originally, he was worshipped as two gods, the creator of the universe, Amun, and the sun-god, Ra. He gained national importance after the defeat of the Hyksos at Thebes in the 16th century, and it is from this date that Amun and Ra were conjoined into one god. Measurements: L 1.7cm x W 1.2cm Provenance:Ex Mustaki Collection, early 20th century, UK.