Faience, 1.77 grams, 17.36 mm. 18th-17th century BC. Middle Kingdom (11th-14th Dynasties). The scarab beetle's industriousness in rolling a ball of dung across rough terrain was regarded as a metaphor for the procession of the sun across the sky, and the creature was thence associated with the Egyptian solar cult; the emergence of its young from the ball was also recognized as a symbol of resurrection. The amulet is carved from faience. Reference: Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p.50ff and pl.44. Provenance: from an old English collection. Very fine condition.