CNG 103, Lot: 1265. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Steatite scarabs in gold pendant mounts. Egypt, New Kingdom, 1550-1077 BC. a) Scarab engraved neb neb nefer nefer nefer (“great lord of eternal beauty”) on face, within gold mount with loop extending to two terminal knobs. 15x10mm. b) Scarab with blue glaze partially preserved, the face is worn and illegible, but is clearly divided into three registers. In gold mount similar to the previous scarab. 21x16mm. c) Green-glazed scarab that has been significantly chipped and is consequently illegible, in mount with granulation and garnet bead. The mount is significantly later, possibly Late Byzantine/Medieval (circa AD 1000-1350). 14x11mm d) Scarab engraved ankh sinew nefer sinew ankh senew (“eternal life to the good golden pharaoh”). In mount with granulation, also possibly Late Byzantine/Medieval. The last two mounts have holes aligned with the scarabs’ channels, making them suitable for stringing. An interesting group.

From the collection of the Hadji Baba Museum, Old City, Jerusalem, Israel.