An ancient Egyptian steatite scarab with incised motif to the reverse. The obverse depicts a head, clypeus and elytra with humeral callosities present. Stylised legs are represented with incisions along the side of the scarab. On the reverse is three hieroglyphic signs - ankh, ra and n signs respectively. The signs might not intend to form a meaningful phrase or word but rather chosen for their good meaning. Scarabs carrying such generalised hieroglyphs are popular during the Middle Kingdom. 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 H 0.6cm Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.