Egyptian Steatite Scarab

19th Dynasty, New Kingdom of Egypt, c. 1259–1186 BC

A beautiful and finely carved Egyptian steatite scarab of small size, executed with remarkable precision and attention to detail. The upper surface is carefully modelled in the form of the sacred scarab beetle, with a clearly defined clypeus and head, while delicately incised lines separate the prothorax and elytra, giving the insect a naturalistic and harmonious appearance.

The underside bears a finely engraved hieroglyphic design. On the left is a seated baboon with its knees drawn up toward its body, identifiable by its rounded form and distinctive flattened face. This figure is most likely intended to represent the god Thoth, although baboons were occasionally employed as symbols of the lunar deity Khonsu. Opposite the baboon appears a large hes (ḥs) vase, a hieroglyph associated with praise, favour, and divine blessing. Together, these symbols probably formed a protective and auspicious motif, invoking wisdom, divine approval, and supernatural guardianship for the owner.

The finely rendered anatomical details of the beetle, particularly the pronounced humeral callosities and crisp linear carving, are characteristic of scarabs produced during the New Kingdom. Such features are generally absent on earlier examples and became increasingly refined from the 18th Dynasty onward, continuing throughout the Ramesside period.

Thoth ranked among the most important gods of ancient Egypt, revered as the divine patron of writing, knowledge, wisdom, and sacred law. He was believed to have invented hieroglyphic writing and served as the celestial scribe, recording the decrees of the gods. In Egyptian funerary belief, Thoth played a pivotal role during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, where he recorded the judgment as the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma'at—the embodiment of truth, justice, and cosmic order—to determine whether the soul was worthy of entering the afterlife.

The scarab beetle (Scarabaeus sacer) itself was one of the most powerful religious symbols in ancient Egypt, representing rebirth, regeneration, and the perpetual cycle of life. Inspired by the beetle's habit of rolling dung across the ground, the Egyptians likened its movement to the daily passage of the sun through the heavens. This association linked the scarab to Khepri, the god of the rising sun, who personified creation, renewal, and the eternal promise of rebirth.

Both an object of personal devotion and a protective amulet, the scarab remained one of the most enduring forms of Egyptian material culture. This finely engraved example beautifully illustrates the artistic sophistication and profound religious symbolism of the New Kingdom, offering a tangible link to the spiritual beliefs and craftsmanship of ancient Egypt.

Good condition to the obverse and reverse. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, with chip, nicks and abrasion, with fading to some finer features, and light encrustations within recessed areas. Please note the small dimensions of this scarab. Size approx. 1,3cm x 1,0cm x 0,6cm. 

Provenance: From the collection of Stig Regnell. Acquired abroad and brought to Sweden during the 1960s. Previously in the collection of Mr. H. Khattab, 11 Mariette Pasha Street, Cairo.

For a similar example see:

Scarab, National Museums Liverpool, Accession Number: M14339 (https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/scarab-393)