Gavin Todhunter, Cornwall, England, acquired between the late 1940s-1970s. A Deceased Estate; Antiquities, Christie's, London, 13 May 2003, lot 76. Antiquities, Christie's, London, 13 October 2008, lot 79. Archéologie, Fayez Barakat, Pierre Bergé, Paris, 14 December 2009, lot 40
Intact as preserved. Some minor losses to the edges throughout, especially to the beetle's head as well as to the forelegs below the head. Minor scratches and incrustation throughout.
During the process of mummification, amulets of different kinds were placed on the body or wrapped in the mummy bindings to protect the deceased from the dangers of the underworld. At the center of these arrangements of amulets was usually a 'Heart Scarab,' which contained a special spell taken from the Book of the Dead.
P. Nicholson and I. Shaw, 'Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology,' Cambridge, 2000
N. Strudwick, 'Masterpieces of Ancient Egypt,' London 2006
G. Pinch, 'Magic in Ancient Egypt,' London 1994
C. Andrews, 'Amulets of Ancient Egypt,' London, 1994, pp. 50
