Ancient Egyptian Faience Scarab - 7.1 cm
Starting bid
€ 1
Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 700 - € 800
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143467 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
A large, mould-made ancient Egyptian funerary pectoral scarab composed of glazed composition (faience), dating to the Late Period, c. 664 - 332 BC.
This specimen was once the centrepiece of a three-piece ‘winged scarab’ pectoral, understood to have been placed on the chest of the mummy during the final stages of the mummification and wrapping ritual.
As noted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this specific type of scarab is known from dynasty 25 onwards.
The obverse depicts a stylised representation of the sacred scarab beetle (Scarabaeus sacer) with distinct moulded morphological attributes including a rounded head (clypeus), pronounced prothorax, and smooth elytra.
The beetle body is raised upon an extended, integral oval flange pierced somewhat symmetrically with six irregular vertical holes (three positioned laterally on each side). These perforations were engineered for the attachment of separately moulded falcon wings and for stitching the completed pectoral unit flat onto mummy bandages or into a woven bead netting.
The reverse is entirely flat and un-inscribed, with raised areas showing a weathered surface with an exposed white-to-cream inner fritted quartz core diagnostic of worn ancient faience.
In Egyptian mythology, the scarab beetle was the earthly manifestation of the god Khepri, who rolled the sun across the sky every morning to signal rebirth. Placing a winged version over the chest was believed to act as a powerful protective charm, guaranteeing that the soul would successfully experience resurrection in the afterlife.
Specimen Details:
Specimen: Funerary Pectoral Scarab beetle (with 6 holes for attachment)
Origin: Egypt, North Africa
Age/Period: Dynasty 25-31, Late Period, c. 664-332 BC
Dimensions: 71 mm (Length) x 46mm (Width) x 20mm (Depth)
Material: Glazed Composition (Egyptian Faience)
Condition: Complete and intact; features stable glaze degradation displaying a highly characteristic exposed white-to-cream fritted quartz core and minor, uncleaned earthen burial deposits consistent with age.
Provenance: Ex Southern English private collection formed in the early-mid 20th century, thence by descent. Acquired from the private collection of a South Oxfordshire gentleman, 2026.
Comparable Published Specimens (for reference):
• Object Number: 30.8.1083a-c - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Object Number: 30.8.1082a-c - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A large, mould-made ancient Egyptian funerary pectoral scarab composed of glazed composition (faience), dating to the Late Period, c. 664 - 332 BC.
This specimen was once the centrepiece of a three-piece ‘winged scarab’ pectoral, understood to have been placed on the chest of the mummy during the final stages of the mummification and wrapping ritual.
As noted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this specific type of scarab is known from dynasty 25 onwards.
The obverse depicts a stylised representation of the sacred scarab beetle (Scarabaeus sacer) with distinct moulded morphological attributes including a rounded head (clypeus), pronounced prothorax, and smooth elytra.
The beetle body is raised upon an extended, integral oval flange pierced somewhat symmetrically with six irregular vertical holes (three positioned laterally on each side). These perforations were engineered for the attachment of separately moulded falcon wings and for stitching the completed pectoral unit flat onto mummy bandages or into a woven bead netting.
The reverse is entirely flat and un-inscribed, with raised areas showing a weathered surface with an exposed white-to-cream inner fritted quartz core diagnostic of worn ancient faience.
In Egyptian mythology, the scarab beetle was the earthly manifestation of the god Khepri, who rolled the sun across the sky every morning to signal rebirth. Placing a winged version over the chest was believed to act as a powerful protective charm, guaranteeing that the soul would successfully experience resurrection in the afterlife.
Specimen Details:
Specimen: Funerary Pectoral Scarab beetle (with 6 holes for attachment)
Origin: Egypt, North Africa
Age/Period: Dynasty 25-31, Late Period, c. 664-332 BC
Dimensions: 71 mm (Length) x 46mm (Width) x 20mm (Depth)
Material: Glazed Composition (Egyptian Faience)
Condition: Complete and intact; features stable glaze degradation displaying a highly characteristic exposed white-to-cream fritted quartz core and minor, uncleaned earthen burial deposits consistent with age.
Provenance: Ex Southern English private collection formed in the early-mid 20th century, thence by descent. Acquired from the private collection of a South Oxfordshire gentleman, 2026.
Comparable Published Specimens (for reference):
• Object Number: 30.8.1083a-c - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Object Number: 30.8.1082a-c - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Century/timeframe
Late Period, c. 664-332 BC
Name of object
Scarab
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Faience
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Fair
Previous owner acquired from
Inherited
Height
7.1 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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.
