A rare Egyptian Black Steatite Cylinder Seal, Second Intermediate Period, ca. 1700 - 1550 BCE

Carved from black steatite, this cylinder seal shows a man with a lunar disk/crescent, a bird, and a lion. The inscription is unusual because it features the unique sign sequence known as the ‘anra formula’. The ‘anra formula’, is a group of undeciphered and variable sequences of Egyptian hieroglyphs that always include at least two letters of the series a-n-r-a in a line. Although a clear explanation for the anra formula still cannot be furnished, various scholars have theorized it means ‘the gift of Re’, the ‘protection by Ra’, and the ‘name of Ra’. Usually inscribed on scarabs, scholars think the latter were used as amulets for magical protection, similar to the ‘abracadabra’ magic words that existed in later Egyptian texts.

Anra scarabs have been found at archaeological sites throughout the Levant, Egypt and Nubia. Notable sites include: Ras Shamra, Byblos, Beth-shan, Pella, Memphis, Shechem, Gezer, Shiloh, Amman, Gerar, Tell El-Dab'a, Esna, Debeira, Mirgissa, Jericho and Rishon. They have been found amongst precious objects such as gold, gemstones, and weapons at a higher rate than other scarabs found in tombs, and they have been discovered in the archaeological remains of palaces, temples, sanctuaries, and residences of high-ranking officials.

In Egypt and Nubia, the anra scarabs that have been found stay closer to the original three-sign sequence, such as this example, without the supplementary Egyptian iconography more prevalent in the Levant.

Condition: The seal is intact and in excellent condition overall. A rare and interesting example, shown with modern roll.

Dimensions: Height: 1 5/8 inches (4 cm)

Provenance: Private Maryland collection of a diplomat, acquired while stationed in Egypt in the 1950s and then by descent.