An ancient Egyptian steatite scarab with incised motif to the reverse. The obverse depicts a head and clypeus. Four incised concentric circles fill the reverse, creating a pleasing geometric pattern. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension. The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The 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. Measurements: L 1.2cm x W 0.8cm x D 0.6cm Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.