Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom Glazed Faience Scarab with Papyrus Stem






Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 128017 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Scarab with Papyrus Stem, a glazed faience scarab amulet from Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, dating to circa 1550–1070 BC, with a blue glaze and incised obverse details and papyrus-stem motif on the reverse; dimensions 1.4 cm long by 1 cm wide; condition Good; provenance Ex Mustaki Collection, acquired from a private collection, year 1999.
Description from the seller
An Ancient Egyptian blue-glazed faience scarab decorated with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse features a stylised head and clypeus, formed from incised lines. Linear striations mark the elytra. To the reverse are two, three-stemmed papyrus plants, placed symmetrically above one another. A dividing line has been placed horizontally, separating each stemmed motif.
Not just a floral motif, the papyrus stem was a commonly used motif. It was the symbol of Lower Egypt, symbolising the Nile Delta. 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 as 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 that have magical rejuvenating properties, used by both the living and the dead.
Measurements: L 1.4cm x W 1cm.
Provenance: Ex Mustaki Collection, early 20th century, UK.
Seller's Story
An Ancient Egyptian blue-glazed faience scarab decorated with hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse features a stylised head and clypeus, formed from incised lines. Linear striations mark the elytra. To the reverse are two, three-stemmed papyrus plants, placed symmetrically above one another. A dividing line has been placed horizontally, separating each stemmed motif.
Not just a floral motif, the papyrus stem was a commonly used motif. It was the symbol of Lower Egypt, symbolising the Nile Delta. 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 as 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 that have magical rejuvenating properties, used by both the living and the dead.
Measurements: L 1.4cm x W 1cm.
Provenance: Ex Mustaki Collection, early 20th century, UK.
Seller's Story
Details
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
