381, Lot: 674. Estimate $150. Sold for $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

New Kingdom. Circa 1550-1070 BC. Steatite scarab (13x10mm). Face inscribed with a monkey, with hands on knees, his tail falling between legs. Pierced. A rare and charming design.

From the Carl Devries Collection.

The monkey here is similar to representations of Bes, a protective deity. It is possible that this monkey was similarly engraved to invoke an association with the god.