A delicate Egyptian amethyst scarab with incised detailing to form a ridged carapace and naturalistic features. The underside is smooth and unadorned. The amethyst presents with a beautiful purple translucency. The amulet has been pierced longitudinally for suspension, however it is now blocked. The piece displays signs of repair with a crack visible across the body. 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 0.9cm x W 0.6cm x H 0.4cm Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.