Egyptian Steatite Scarab - Beetle & Locust Within Rope Border

拍品描述

Egypt, Second Intermediate Period, ca. 1750–1550 BCE. A palm-sized amulet in pale steatite, carved as the sacred dung beetle with a compact ovoid back, ridged clypeus, and legs drawn tight against the body. The flat underside carries the true message: a beetle glyph, kheper, signifying existence and becoming, paired with a locust, an insect long associated with the fertile abundance of Upper and Lower Egypt, the whole enclosed within a coiled rope border that seals the composition like a cartouche of twisted cord. Pierced longitudinally for stringing, such scarabs served as seals, amulets, and personal talismans, worn at the throat or wrist and pressed into clay to mark ownership. The beetle rolling its ball of dung offered Egyptians a daily image of the sun reborn, and so of the wearer's own hoped-for renewal. Size: 0.33" H x 0.55" W x 0.76" D (0.8 cm H x 1.4 cm W x 1.9 cm D). Scarabs of the Second Intermediate Period, when Hyksos rulers held the eastern Delta and Theban kings the south, are notable for their exuberant geometric and floral backs: coiled scrollwork, interlace, and rope borders of exactly this kind. The motif migrated with trade, and closely related designs turn up across the Levant and Cyprus, marking one of the most vigorous chapters of Egyptian glyptic export. The name of the beetle, kheper, punned on the verb "to come into being," making the insect a compact theological argument: what emerges from apparently inert matter carries the promise of self-generation. Steatite, soft enough to cut with a copper point and hardened by firing, was the workhorse material of these seals, usually finished with a glaze that has often weathered to the chalky white surface seen here. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #204300

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