Egyptian Hardstone Heart Scarab

Rectangular in plan with irregular left and lower edge; carved in low-relief in two registers with narrow border; lower register - plain with cream-white pigment; upper register – a combat or possibly post battle or tribute scene depicting two profile male heads with stern features, lentoid eye, strong mouth and chin, wearing brow-bands, probably Western Asiatics; with the leg of a kneeling(?) figure to the right; the reverse dressed but undecorated; two modern mounting holes to the long edge. 5.11 kg, 33 cm



Private collection, 1980s. Private European collection, 2008. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12853-241665. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Scenes of captured enemies and especially foreign envoys in audience with the pharaoh depict figures in various humiliating, supplicatory poses, including prostration and kneeling.

With round-section hoop, green stone scarab in swivel mount, the underside with incused image of a seated baboon flanked by torches(?), with sun disc above, and lotus flowers beneath. 7.59 grams, 29.99 mm overall, 23.51 x 18.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



From the late S M collection, London, UK, 1969-1999. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With detailing to wings and eyes, loop for suspension above the head. 2 grams, 24 mm



Ex London, UK, gentleman 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Considering that Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were merely a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard for their speed, quick reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, around 3200 B.C. These amulets gained popularity, and the materials used to make them varied during the New Kingdom. They were crafted from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even symbolised the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and persistence of soldiers in battle.