Egyptian scarab

[autographcollector11]

made of faience. Id like some professional thoughts on this such as possible age and use. How were these made? What were they used for?
thanks

 

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[nhbenz]

Perhaps a pendant that came apart, with the eyelet loop gone missing? Vintage EGYPTIAN Faience 14k Scarab Pendant from luxuryjewels on Ruby Lane

Edit: the above assumed it was found in the US, metal detecting, but on a second look I'm guessing now that this wasn't the case, and that it's much older.

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

found this on this site about 'Faience' http://www.ancient.eu/Faience/

""The Egyptians used faience for the manufacture of jewelry (rings, amulets, necklaces) but also in statuary, for scarabs, to create the board and pieces for the game of Sennet,""

Also this on 'Scarabs' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarab_(artifact)

""Scarabs were produced in vast numbers for many centuries and many thousands have survived. They were generally intended to be worn or carried by the living. They were typically carved or moulded in the form of a scarab beetle (usually identified as Scarabaeus sacer) with varying degrees of naturalism but usually at least indicating the head, wing case and legs but with a flat base. The base was usually inscribed with designs and/or hieroglyphs to form an impression seal. Scarabs were usually drilled from end to end to allow them to be strung on a thread or incorporated into a swivel ring. The most common range of sizes for scarabs is from 6mm to 4 cm (length) and most are probably between 1 cm and 2 cm long. Larger scarabs were made from time to time for particular purposes (such as the commemorative scarabs of Amenhotep III). Heart scarabs (typically 5 cm to 9 cm long, made of dark hardstone and not pierced for suspension) were made for a specific funerary purpose and should be considered separately.
Scarabs were generally either carved from stone or moulded from Egyptian faience. Once carved, they would typically be glazed blue or green and then fired. The most common stone used for scarabs was a form of steatite, a soft stone which becomes hard when fired (formingenstatite). Hardstone scarabs were also made and the stones most commonly used were green jasper, amethyst and carnelian.
While the majority of scarabs would originally have been green or blue the coloured glazes used have often either become discoloured or have been lost, leaving most steatite scarabs appearing white or brown.""

Apparently the hole was for stringing it, and the bottom impression is some type of seal? Anyway, neat piece and likely VERY old

 

[Discrimination Dave]

How did you know it was faience? I had never heard of it till i just googled it. (tin glazed ceramic). Surface find? or did you purchase this?
Are you in Egypt?

 

[gunsil]

There are millions of these reproduced for years. You'd need a real Egyptologist to tell the difference. Yours looks more like glazed clay than faience which will look the same on worn areas as it will on un-worn areas.