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CIVILIZATION | Egyptian |
PERIOD | New Kingdom |
DATE | 18th-20th Dynasty, 1550-1070 B.C. |
MATERIAL | Stone |
MOUNTED | No |
Speckled stone heart scarab inscribed for Amenemope, with the details of the beetle's physiognomy defined, the underside inscribed with six lines of hieroglyphs from Chapter 30B from the Book of the Dead, reading, "Words spoken by the Osiris. He says: 'Heart of my mother, heart of my mother, heart of my (actual) being, do not stand up against me as a witness; do not oppose me ...' Amenemope ..."
The common idea that the heart scarab was designed to replace the heart after its removal at mummification remains questionable. The Egyptians feared that the heart, the seat of memory and conscience, would testify against the deceased at the Divine Tribunal. Placing a heart scarab within the mummy wrappings or over the heart, or near the neck, of the mummy of the deceased was designed to prevent this. They are often inscribed with a spell from the Book of the Dead imploring the heart not to abandon its owner.
Private Collection, Brussels, acquired in the 1970s.
with Harmakhis, Brussels.
cf. Andrews, C.; Amulets of Ancient Egypt, pps. 44-45, no. 44a-g, for a discussion on protective amulets and heart scarabs.
This item qualifies for an interest-free payment plan. This exclusive feature is made available to customers who would like to pay off qualified purchases in installments. Learn More
Free expedited shipping is available on this item. Allow 3-5 business days for delivery to the U.S.A. and Canada. Allow 5-10 business days for international deliveries. Express shipping may be available at checkout. Minor shipping delays may occur. All items are carefully packaged to ensure safe arrival. We ship Monday to Thursday. Learn more
CATEGORY | Egyptian |
PERIOD | New Kingdom |
DATE | 18th-20th Dynasty, 1550-1070 B.C. |
MATERIAL | Stone |
MOUNTED | No |