Ancient Egyptian Granite Scarab with Protective Spell
07
days
06
hours
57
minutes
29
seconds
Current bid
€ 57
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 450 - € 550
12 other people are watching this object
 Bidder 4257 | €57 | |
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| Bidder 9261 | €2 | |
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Ancient Egyptian granite scarab titled “Scarab with Protective Spell,” dating to circa 900 B.C., in excellent condition and 2.3 cm long, with a Certificate of Authenticity.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Finely carved with realistic features, the base deeply engraved with a protective spell composed by, on either side, a maat feather (rightness), rearing cobra (power), and Dual Crown (unification and control), flanking a central column of hieroglyphic signs: r–n–t-sa (x2)-ka-neb. The hieroglyph "sa" represented protection. It was often depicted as a knotted rope and was believed to ward off evil and bring good luck. When repeated (as in this case) the symbol would likely reinforce the idea of protection, especially when flanked by uraei, perhaps suggesting a greater degree or intensity of its power.
Size: 2.3 cm L - 7/8 inch
Material: Granite
Culture: Egypt, c. 900 B.C.
Condition: Intact
Provenance: From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Literature: Ben-Tor, D., Scarabs, Chronology, and Interconnections: Egypt and Palestine in the Second Intermediate Period, Fribourg/Göttingen, 2007, pl. 56, no. 44, for a design incorporating the same three-sign border motif and a central sign group column.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Finely carved with realistic features, the base deeply engraved with a protective spell composed by, on either side, a maat feather (rightness), rearing cobra (power), and Dual Crown (unification and control), flanking a central column of hieroglyphic signs: r–n–t-sa (x2)-ka-neb. The hieroglyph "sa" represented protection. It was often depicted as a knotted rope and was believed to ward off evil and bring good luck. When repeated (as in this case) the symbol would likely reinforce the idea of protection, especially when flanked by uraei, perhaps suggesting a greater degree or intensity of its power.
Size: 2.3 cm L - 7/8 inch
Material: Granite
Culture: Egypt, c. 900 B.C.
Condition: Intact
Provenance: From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Literature: Ben-Tor, D., Scarabs, Chronology, and Interconnections: Egypt and Palestine in the Second Intermediate Period, Fribourg/Göttingen, 2007, pl. 56, no. 44, for a design incorporating the same three-sign border motif and a central sign group column.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Century/ Timeframe
Egypt, c. 900 B.C.
Name of object
Scarab with Protective Spell
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2019
Material
Granite
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
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
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.
