Egyptian Mummified Scarab Beetle Pendant. 7th-4th century B.C. A mummified animal or insect (most probably a beetle) contained within a large woven fabric acorn-shaped pendant, loop to the cap. Cf. for embalmed insect mummies Huchet, J.B., ‘Archaeoentomological study of the insects remains found within the mummy of Namenkhet Amon, San Lazzaro Armenian Monastery, Venice/Italy)’ in Advances in Egyptology 1, (2010), 59-80. 32 grams, 6.7 cm high (2 5/8 in.) From a 1940s collection. Brigantia Antiques, York, UK, 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. The Egyptians embalmed practically every type of living thing, from bulls to beetles, from birds to snakes, from dogs and cats to fish, crocodiles and even monkeys. Mummified scarabs, many cats, cobras and a pair of crocodiles placed together with funerary objects, were recently found inside seven rock tombs located in the area of the necropolis of Saqqara, on the edge of the funerary complex of King Userkaf, founder of the 5th Dynasty circa 2510 B.C. [No Reserve]

Fair condition.