Faience Scarab with the Goddess Maat with Ankh and Nefer Symbol

Culture: Egyptian

Period: 3rd Intermediate period, 1075-664 B.C.

Material: Faience

Dimensions: 1.6 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 1527

Provenance: Dutch collection V. D. W., Hoofddorp, acquired prior to 1983. Last in the French art market. With a copy of the collection inventory list.

Condition: Minor ancient missing parts on the back of the lower rim.

Description: Beautifully worked out scarab of green-blue faience with engravings at the bottom. Depicted is the seated goddess Maat with a feather crown on her head and ankh symbol on her raised knees. To her right the nefer symbol, which means “perfect” of “complete”. Below the basket hieroglyph, which stands for “all”. So the message of the scarab is: "The concept of Maat, the goddess of justice, is perfect." Or in brief: “All justice is beautiful!” The scarab with a formed clypeus (head shield) with deeply pierced eyes and accentuated elytra (cover wings). The front pair of legs is placed in the front under the head, whereby the tips reach to the perforation. The two rear pair of legs are in opposite directions along the body. The scarab is pierced in lengthwise for suspension.