SCARABS. Ancient Egypt. 2nd Intermediate Period. 1650-1550 BCE. Steatite. (16x12 mm). Back is neatly carved with wings and legs and raised from the base by the scarab legs. The base engraved with three protective signs : on top “NABU” over “LAND OF PLENTY”. At the bottom right, falcon of “HORUS”, God of the sky and the divine protector of kings. At the bottom left, the “SA” symbol which was believed to embody magical powers and offer magical protection and was associated with the Goddess “TAWERET”, to protect the Egyptian children and pregnant women. Very rare. Some ancient glaze still present. Pierced for mounting. From the Joseph A. Dow Collection; Ex Classical Numismatic Group 345 lot 741 (part of). “Nabu”“ is a symbol, represents Gold which was considered a divine metal. It was thought to be the flesh of the Gods, its polished surface was related to the brilliance of the sun and represents aspects of immortality. By the new kingdom, the royal burial chambers was called “the house gold”.