Romano-Egyptian Melon and Other Faience Beads

The domed upper face shaped as a fish with scale detailing, the underside has three hieroglyphs consisting of a men (draughtboard) sign, with a figure of a standing deity wearing a sun-disc crown next to a large Maat feather to the right, pierced longitudinally. 1.72 grams, 16 mm



Ex Mustaki collection, early 20th century, UK. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.

Fish amulets symbolised regeneration.

Finely carved, with naturalistic detailing to the upper body, legs shown folded beneath the body with suspension loop at centre. 7.5 grams, 25 mm



From a 20th century UK collection.

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 behaviour 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.

Plano-convex in section with incised segmentation to the carapace, underside with two hatched avian figures; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.65 grams, 20 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.