Description

Rare scarab made of Egyptian blue. The base of the scarab is inscribed with the hieroglyphs: iry.w-3h.w. This translates most likely to 'Those who have a strong spirit'. However, Bonhams translates this scarab to: 'Amun is great'.

Scarabs were worn as jewelry, carried as talismans, and placed in tombs. They were believed to protect the living from harm and guide the dead safely into the afterlife. Many scarabs were inscribed with names of pharaohs, prayers, or protective spells. Officials used them as personal seals pressed into clay or wax. Some had purely decorative or symbolic inscriptions, while others carried political or diplomatic messages. They were made from a wide range of substances:  steatite (soapstone), faience (glazed ceramic), carnelian, lapis lazuli, and even precious metals. 

Translation available by Dutch Egyptologist Huub Pragt.

Attached is a picture of the scarab using Near Intrared (NIR) photoluminescence. Egyptian blue has exceptional near infrared luminescence properties. It can be triggered by the absorption of visible light in the red region (overall between 600 and 630 nm) and the NIR (~800 nm). Almost no pigments emit in the NIR, but Egyptian blue does very strongly. The NIR emission is invisible to the naked eye, but detectable with modern NIR equipment.

Literature about the unique photoluminescence property of Egyptian blue:

The exceptional near-infrared luminescence properties of cuprorivaite (Egyptian blue), G. Verri et al 2009.

Real-time identification and visualization of Egyptian blue using modified night vision goggles, M. Nicola et al. 2024.

Increased NIR photoluminescence of Egyptian blue via matrix effect optimization, M. Nicola et al. 2024.

Digital mapping of Egyptian blue: Conservation implications, G. Verri 2013. 

Comparable scarabs made of Egyptian blue:

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/scarab-247

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/553375

www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA36057

www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/X__4349

Culture

Egyptian

Dating

New Kingdom, 1550–1070 BCE

Size

1,7 cm

Provenance

Dutch private collection, bought via Bonhams Auctions in London. 

Bodo Bless (1940-2022) collection, Berlin, formed from 1960s.

Condition

Great condition, right side of the base looks chipped.