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Authentic 1293-1185 B.C. Ancient Egypt Scarab Cartouche Amulet & 14k Gold Accent
$ 171.6
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Description
Egyptian Scarab Amulet/Cartouche with Seth, Amun Re, and Horus, original photographic Certificate of Authenticity included. The scarab itself is ancient (see details below), but it is accented with a modern-made 14k Solid Yellow Gold spiral wire which runs through the bead-hole down through the middle, parallel to the spine. The 14k gold spiral was added as a preliminary step in mounting the scarab into a large piece of jewelry, which was then deemed too cost-prohibitive to complete. The gold spiral is easily removable, only being held in place by the spiral-wound ends, but it has remained in place, as it does indeed look quite attractive. The piece of 14k gold wire weighed approx. 2 grams, I believe (though I can’t swear to this exact weight).The scarab held special significance for the Egyptians as a representation of the creator and solar deity, Khepri. The scarab beetle rolls it's eggs in a ball of dung along the ground, which the Egyptians held as symbolic of Kepri pushing the sun across the sky. As baby Beatles were seen to emerge from the dung, scarabs were thought capable of spontaneous creation, further linking them to Khepri through his function as a creator God. From the middle Kingdom 2055 to 1650 BC onward, the scarab form amulet became popular as a form of jewelry, often times inscribed on the bottom with a cartouche or Mark the owner. This scarab features a trio of three of the most important deities in Egyptian mythology. In the center we can identify Amun-Re, based on his tall crown with two ostrich plumes. Amun-Re was the head of the Egyptian pantheon of gods during the New Kingdom, largely because he was the patron deity of Thebes. He was a composite god of Amun and the sun god, Re, who was believed to rule through the actions of the pharaohs. Accordingly, on either side of his depiction or the two deities most associated with kingship and it struggles in ancient Egypt. On the right side of the impression is the falcon-headed to Horus, son of Osiris and rightful heir to the throne of Egypt. The left side of the impression features the mysterious animal form of Seth, who murdered his brother Osiris and attempted to usurp the throne from his nephew. Horus and Seth represented stability and chaos, respectively, and it is appropriate to find them framing Amun-Re, patron deity of the pharaohs, who were responsible for balancing these forces in the world.
AGE: New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, 1293-1185 B.C.CONDITION: Superb. A little roughness on the base, but it does not detract from the impression as seen in the photos.DIMENSIONS: About 2 centimeters in lengthThis scarab comes with the original, signed, photographic Certificate of Authenticity issued with it from the original antiquities gallery.