Carved Stone Egyptian Scarab Amulet

Curatorial Story & Cultural Heritage

This is a mid-20th century tourist souvenir carved stone scarab amulet. The scarab beetle held immense religious and symbolic significance in ancient Egypt, representing rebirth, regeneration, and the sun god Khepri. Artisans crafted these amulets from a wide variety of materials including soapstone, faience, and various hardstones, inscribing them with protective hieroglyphs and royal names. Originally used as seals, administrative tokens, and funerary amulets, they were buried with the dead or worn as jewelry to ensure safe passage into the afterlife. The fascination with ancient Egyptian culture sparked by the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 inspired a massive wave of decorative souvenirs and revival pieces. Throughout the mid-20th century, Egyptian craftsmen produced countless hand-carved stone and composition scarabs for the tourism market, often mimicking ancient styles and motifs. These souvenir pieces became popular decorative objects and mementos for travelers visiting historical sites along the Nile. Period: Mid-20th Century Origin: Cairo, Egypt