An Egyptian Steatite Scarab Swivel Ring, 2IP, ca. 1759-1539 BCE

This ancient scarab was carved during a time of great unrest in Egypt's Second Intermediate Period.  According to the accompanying paperwork, it was found in the Egyptian Delta, an area overrun at the time by the Hyksos invaders.  Hand carved from soft steatite, the underside, carefully incised with wedjet eyes and lotus blossoms, carries messages of power and protection that perhaps reflects the political climate of the times.  During this time, the scarab was also carefully set in a ring of high karat gold.   As it was originally a ring, a shank of 14K gold was added in modern times in keeping with ancient design, allowing this lovely piece to be worn once more.

Condition: The scarab and bezel are intact and in very good condition overall, a modern swivel shank of 14K gold has been added so it can again be worn.

Dimensions: US ring size: 8, Scarab length: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Provenance: Mariann Hansen, Racine, Wisconsin private collection, acquired from Blanchard's Egyptian Museum, Cairo in the 1950s. Copy of original Blanchard's documentation will be provided.