A fine, large Egyptian blue faience scarab with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse is finely decorated and features a moulded head and clypeus. The prothorax and elytra are divided by single lines, with two lines descending from the dissecting prothorax line to form the humeral callosities. The sides of the scarab are decorated with linear incisions representing the legs. The reverse features incised hieroglyphs, all with apotropaic value. At the centre there is a large 'kheper' beetle hieroglyph, depicted with its wings spread open. Below this is possibly a basket sign 'neb'. Above the scarab there is a cartouche with a sun disc 're' sign, followed by three dots, potentially three grains, another ovoid sign, three dots again, and terminating in the 'neb' basket sign. The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension. Earthy encrustations and scratches to the surface. The scarab features a fine light blue-turquoise colour. The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. 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 beetles 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. Measurements: (circa) L 2.4cm x W 1.8cm Provenance: Ex Mustaki Collection, early 20th century, UK.