of fiery orange/red, a most striking carnelian scarab of elliptical form, the wing-casing incised on the back, the base uninscribed; pierced vertically for attachment.  Set in a modern 18K gold ring.

Unlike soft steatite, scarabs made from hard stone such as red carnelian were rarely engraved during earlier periods.  Rather, they were usually covered with a gold plate upon which the device or inscription was incised.  Newberry, Egyptian Scarabs, p. 83.

Perhaps no single object better embodies the mystery and magic of ancient Egypt than the scarab. Representing the sacred desert beetle, scarabs were used by king and commoner alike as amulets of good fortune and prosperity. Certain scarabs also functioned as personal seals which designated the property and authority of the person whose name appears on them. An emblem of Kephera, the creator, the scarab was worshiped from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt.

In addition to its aura of luck, the scarab represented eternal life and resurrection. The ancient Egyptians frequently wore the scarab as jewelry, especially in rings, bracelets and necklaces.

Condition:  A fine scarab, intact and in very good condition overall.

Dimensions: Scarab Length: 1/2 inch (15mm)  US ring size: 6 1/2

Provenance:  Private Californian collection