Scarab Inscribed with Blessing Related to Horus
Third Intermediate Period
This scarab is delicately cut from a semi-precious stone, probably green jasper. Green stones were often used for the manufacture of amulets: for the ancient Egyptians, the color referred to vegetation and therefore to life and renewal.
The hieroglyphs on the base form a blessing relating to the sun god Horus, who is represented at the top as a falcon holding a flagellum. Given the limited surface on scarab bases, seal carvers were often very creative in using as few hieroglyphs and signs as possible in order to convey their message.
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