Ancient Egypt, Second Intermediate Period Faience Scarab, Hyksos - large size

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Ancient Egyptian Hyksos faience scarab with greenish/blue glaze, made by a Canaanite artisan. The scarab shows from left to right; Eye of Horus and pseudo hieroglyphs, beneath an antelope (associated with the god Seth whom the Hyksos rulers linked to their own chief deity Baal), and various animals like a resting lion/deer and an ibex looking backwards.

-> The combination of Egyptian hieroglyphs and pseudo-hieroglyphs is a typical feature of Hyksos scarabs. The Hyksos originally came from the Levant and after they seized power in the Egyptian Nile Delta they did not blindly adopt the local religion but merged it with their own beliefs.

Scarab: ± 31,2 x 23,1 mm
Display: ± 65 x 32 mm

Condition: very fine condition, rare large size and quality scarab. Signs of wear on the scarab's back and minor chip from the border, consistent with age and use.
The scarab is presented on an antique display, typical for collections from the early 1900's.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).

-> In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was associated with the god Khepri and was believed to represent the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Scarab beetles were often depicted in art, incorporated in jewellery or used as amulets, symbolizing protection and good fortune.
Scarabs were also inscribed for use as personal or administrative seals. Additionally, some scarabs were created for political or diplomatic purposes to commemorate or advertise royal achievements.
Scarab beetles also played an important role in Egyptian funerary rituals. They were placed as amulets in tombs or positioned on the heart during the mummification process. The Egyptians believed the scarab beetle would ensure the deceased had a safe passage into the afterlife.


-> Faience was very popular and widely used in ancient Egypt. The earliest evidence of faience production was discovered in a 7500 year old workshop near the temple in Abydos. The production and style of faience changed through Egyptian history.

Different colourants were used for aesthetic and symbolic purposes, or to imitate the more expensive and rare semi-precious gemstones like turquoise, carnelian, lapis lazuli, garnets or obsidian. Egyptians believed that faience in the colour of gemstones had the same properties. Red had protective powers, dark lapis blue gave strength, courage and wisdom, bright turquoise was associated with fertility and offered protection to the wearer.

As faience was more available than semi-precious gemstones it became a popular and widely used material for small objects like scarabs and other forms of amulets, beads, jewellery, small size statuettes, cosmetic vessels and ritual objects.

In ancient Egypt, faience objects were seen as magical, reflecting the eternal shimmer of the sun and infused with the powers of rebirth and sparkle with the brilliance of eternity.