An ancient Egyptian steatite scarab with an incised motif to the reverse. The anatomical details of the scarab are delicately rendered, with an incised clypeus, eyes and prothorax, and a linear incision indicating the wing cases on the elytra. The reverse features a complex geometric motif consisting of a twisted cross-shaped form with a sequence of nb (basket) and mn (senet board) hieroglyphs in each quadrant. The scarab has been pierced longitudinally for suspension, however it is now blocked. There is a chip to the head and bottom of the scarab. 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 1.1cm x H 0.7cm Provenance: Ex Mustaki Collection, early 20th century, UK.