Egyptian Heart Scarab Value Guide

The Egyptian Heart Scarab is a significant funerary amulet from the New Kingdom era, symbolizing the sun god Khepri and the promise of rebirth. These large stone artifacts were placed over the deceased's heart to ensure safe passage through the weighing of the heart ceremony in the afterlife.

What affects the value of Egyptian Heart Scarab?

• The legibility and completeness of the funerary inscriptions on the base significantly impact the $210-$230 price range.
• The preservation of the stone material, specifically the lack of major chips or modern recarving, preserves historical value.
• Provenance and documentation linking the piece to established 19th or 20th-century collections enhance market desirability.
• The quality of the beetle's dorsal carving, including the detail of the legs and head, dictates the final appraisal.

How to Identify Egyptian Heart Scarab?

• Look for a flat base featuring hand-carved hieroglyphs, typically representing Spell 30B from the Book of the Dead.
• Verify the material is authentic ancient steatite or schist, which should show age-appropriate wear and mineralization.
• Examine the beetle's anatomy for the specific New Kingdom carving style, characterized by a distinct clypeus and striated wing cases.
• Check for a longitudinal piercing which was often used to secure the amulet to the mummy's wrappings.

History of Egyptian Heart Scarab

In Ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was a symbol of the sun god Khepri and represented rebirth. Heart scarabs were specifically placed over the heart of the deceased during mummification. They were often inscribed with Spell 30B from the Book of the Dead, which implored the heart not to testify against the owner during the weighing of the heart ceremony in the afterlife.