Egyptian Gold Bird Amulet

A finely carved carnelian scarab (Scarabaeus sacer) modelled naturalistically in the round with anatomical detailing to the carapace, head, legs and underside of the body; slightly domed profile; drilled laterally to the underside of the body for suspension. 3.07 grams, 19 mm

Fine condition.

From an early 20th century Home Counties collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.114474-196152.

The Egyptians saw the scarab as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The beetle was associated with the sun god because scarabs roll large balls of dung in which to lay their eggs, a behavior that the Egyptians thought resembled the progression of the sun through the sky from east to west. Scarab amulets were used for their magical rejuvenating properties by both the living and the dead. The regenerative powers of scarabs such as the one offered here could be used by either the living or the dead for healing and protection. The striking red/orange colour of the carnelian stone used to produce this amulet strengthens its solar associations.

A bright blue glazed worker shabti modelled on a rectangular base, arms crossed over the chest, detailing in black to the wig and eyes, holding a pair of hoes, a seed bag to the back, the hair tied with a seshed headband; a vertical column of hieroglyphs to the front of the body naming the wab-priest Pa-di-Khonsu-iy; repaired. 76 grams, 98 mm high



From a Worcester deceased estate. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.

As a wab-priest, Pa-di-Khonsu-iy would have assisted a higher-ranking hem-priest with the general maintenance and ritual activities in a temple, likely located either in Thebes in Upper Egypt or Tanis in the Delta.

A mixed group of scarabs and intaglios comprising: carnelian plaque with helmetted warrior holding shield with right hand and winged Nike on his left; green glazed composition scarab with enigmatic hieroglyphs on base; onyx scarab with an armed running warrior on base, cut in Rome; a later gold bracelet with an Etruscan scarab; one wedjat eye scaraboid; an Etruscan scarab with a centaur; one stone scarab with seated Ra-Horakhty above nb reading 'lord Ra Horakhty'; one pink stone scarab with bird. 4.13 grams total, 12-15 mm



Supplied with small a handwritten note: 'Antiquities found in Rome, given to Henrietta Sophia Benfield by her mother'. Henrietta Sophia Benfield (1796-1857) was the daughter of Paul Benfield and his wife, Mary Frances, daughter of Henry Swinburne (1743-1803). Property of the Berkeley collection. With Sotheby's, London, 11 December 2019, lot 182. English private collection.