Classical World, Central Italy, Etruria, ca. 4th to 3rd century BCE; Europe, Etruscan Revival, ca. 19th century CE. An elegant jasper scarab intaglio and a high-quality gold brooch setting with filigree and delicate gold granulation! The 91% (equivalent to 21K+) gold brooch setting is a fully functional Etruscan Revival style, that is extensively decorated with granulations and filigree work. The ancient beetle is skillfully incised with lines for winglets and well-defined legs, all on the highly domed and wine-red stone. A gold pin is set through the scarab's central piercing to secure the stone within an ovoid bezel - the lip is decorated with a filigree rope and granulated spheres. The bezel is open to view the underside of the jasper - etched with a stooped man and a staff carrying a load on his back. The rest of the brooch rectangular panels are accented with flowers that are formed with the same beautiful wire twist rope border and granulation. Size: 2.5" L x 0.85" W (6.4 cm x 2.2 cm); gold quality: 91% (equivalent to 21K+); total weight: 11.9 grams
The scarab, beloved in ancient Egypt as a sacred beetle, was an emblem of Khepri (also Kephera, Khepera, Khepra), the creator. Given that the word 'kepher' means creation, existence, being, or becoming, the god Khepri, by extension, was regarded as the creator of all. Symbolic of resurrection and fertility, carved scarabs served two primary roles: as personal seals to identify the property of the individual whose name was placed upon them and as amulets possessing spiritual and protective powers. In either case, the scarab was thought to possess immense power. Serving as the owner's signature, the scarab brought about wealth and prosperity during the individual's lifetime. During the afterlife, the scarab was thought to bring about rebirth and eternal life.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#159444
Condition
Choice and intact. Gold setting is fully functional, and pin articulates easily and rests in clasp. Minor green patina on verso gold finial area, and not visible from front. Jasper scarab is intact and very good.