Code: 2458
Description: A blue glazed steatite scarab, the underside neatly incised with motif consisting of nfr and an ankh sign arranged vertically in the middle, surrounded by intertwined spirals, the whole enclosed by a single incised line. The scarab legs as seen from the side with unusual detail. Some wear to the glaze, particularly on the top of the scarab, but complete and a very nice example.
Size: 14 mm/0.5 in. in length
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Hyksos, Second Intermediate Period, c. 1700-1550 B.C.
Provenance: From the collection of Julian Bird (1959-2014).
Background: Julian Bird was a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, who built up a fine and extensive collection from the 1970s onwards. He sourced his items mainly from the UK market, from specialist dealers, fairs, markets and auctioneers. He was a model collector, carefully documenting his collection, but we do not have his notes for this particular item.
