Scarabs (sculpture)

Representations or images of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians, such as for seals, symbols, or amulets. Scarabs were made of various materials, glazed steatite being most common, usually having bases that are inscribed or decorated with designs, used simultaneously as amulets and seals. Scarabs first appeared in the late Old Kingdom (ca. 2575-ca. 2130 BCE) as evolutions from the so-called button seals. They became common in the Middle Kingdom (1938-ca. 1630 BCE).