A steatite Egyptian scarab beetle amulet with incised highly stylised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The obverse features a moulded clypeus, head and protruding notched legs. The arched back has been left free of markings. The reverse shows a pattern of hieroglyphs or, more likely pseudo-hieroglyphs, typical of Canaanite style. The scarab is pierced longitudinally for suspension, however it is now blocked. Earthly encrustations to the surface. There is a hairline crack near the head of the scarab that runs around the items, some chips around the base. 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 1.4cm x W 1cm x H 0.7cm Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.