Ancient Egyptian Steatite Amulet of a Scarab with cartouche of Tuthmosis III. 14 mm L.

Scarab New Kingdom, Reign of Tuthmosis III, c. 1479 to 1425 BC MATERIAL: Steatite DIMENSIONS: Length 14 mm. PROVENANCE: Private collection, Paris, France. Acquired prior to the 1980s. CONDITION: Good Condition. The scarab was an amulet of life and power in the form of a dung beetle, animal associated with Khepri, the self-created, Ra as the rising sun. In ancient times it was believed that the beetle was only of the male sex and that it reproduced itself using a dung ball as the ovum. The supposed self-reproduction of the beetle was similar to that of Khepri, who created himself out of the nothing. At the same time, the dung ball which was rolled by the beetle was identified with the sun in its cycle across the heavens. The scarab was, therefore, a symbol of resurrection in Egyptian mythology. In one’s lifetime it provided protection against evil, visible or invisible, supplying strength and power every day. In death, he who wore this amulet had the possibility of resurrection and being granted eternal afterlife. Notes: - The piece includes authenticity certificate. - The piece includes Spanish Export License. - The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.