Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom Steatite Scarab with a Depiction of Bes with Adoring Apes

A fabulous Ancient Egyptian scarab carbed from steatite. The reverse features a depiction of the deity Bes, portrayed in a typical manner, with a large plumed headdress, his hands on his thighs, and with his tail between his legs. Bes was a common occurance on scarabs of this period due to his role and capabilities as a protector. Zoomorhphic figures flank either side of Bes, likely to be apes, with their arms raised towards him in adoration.

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. 9cm x W 1. 3cm x D 0. 9cm

Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.