Phoenician Inscribed Bronze Scaraboid Seal. Late 1st millennium B.C. Plain domed body pierced longitudinally, inscribed underside. Cf. Ben-Tor, D., The Scarab: A Reflection of Ancient Egypt, Tel Aviv, 1993, p. 32, for discussion and examples of the 'a-n-r' scarab design. 8.9 grams, 17 mm (3/4 in.). [No Reserve]

Ex London, UK, gentleman, 1990. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Although it is difficult to make out for certain, the outer design appears to be composed of the 'a-n-r' hieroglyphs. The signs do not form a word and are thought to have been a decorative device used by Asiatic scarab makers, employing recognisably Egyptian hieroglyphs.

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