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Collections / Ricerca / Egyptian Collection: Third Intermediate Period - Late Period

scarab of Shabaka

In Egypt were very common the small seals to indicate possession of goods, objects and environments, to authenticate documents, to transfer powers, and also, as a function of amulet, to magically protect the individual who wore them as jewelry.

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The scarab was an important amulet. It first appeared during the Old Kingdom (about 2613-2160 BC), and was often used as a seal, mounted on a ring, with an inscription on the flat underside. During the 25th dynasty it becomes common to have scarabs with a ram's head, instead the normal one. This is related to the god Amun-Re. On this scarab we can read the name of the god and one of the five names of pharaoh Shabaka, Nfr-K3-R' ("Beautiful Is Ka of Re).


Provenance: Provenance unknown, Palagi Collection
Datation: 25th dynasty, reign of Shabaka (713/2 - 690 BC)
Material: yellow faïence
Dimensions: cm 1 x 1,59 x 2,32
Inventory #: KS 2665

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