Faience, 0.51 grams, 12.20 mm. 18th-17th century BC. Middle Kingdom (11th-14th Dynasties). The scarab is the most numerous of the amuletic beads known from ancient Egypt. The scarab beetle was adopted as a metaphor for the procession of the sun across the sky, and became firmly associated with the Egyptian solar cult. The white faience amulet features symbols on the underside, of which a scarab beetle is still recognizable between two hafted tools. Reference: Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p.50ff and pl.44. Very fine condition. Provenance: an old London collection.