Are these crocodiles?

I'de advise against that - they get to be 6 pounds of pissed off biting machines with their mouths rowed with ripping and tearing flesh teeth!!!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I'll probably stay away from tegus. The reptile at the top of my wishlist right now is a ball python. But, that's not going to happen for a good while.

Update: My brother went ahead and bought the scarab. It's from the New Kingdom, c 1400 BC. Here's some of the crazy colouring that sold him on it (seller's pics):


Cool stuff.

Erin

 

The Scarab looks cool. There were many that were glazed (and by today, many have had their glaze worn off). So the mottled orange is REALLY attractive

Erin, have a couple books to recommend should you two decide to pursue them a little more.

Scarabs, Isaac Myer. Old book, but worth it. Walks through the history, manufacture, and religious symbolism of scarabs. Covers Egypt, Phoenicia, Sardinia, and Etruria. This is not a source to see pics/drawings of scarabs, but a good understanding. I read this one first.

Egyptian Scarabs, Percy E Newberry. History, explanations, and drawings of scarabs. Not comprehensive, because as I learn this...it looks like there are no entry-price books that are comprehensive. But this one is pretty good to get reference and understanding.

Historical Scarabs, W M Finders Petrie. Basically a 1/2" thick pamphlet book that 90% of which line drawing illustrations of scarabs in chronological order. He was a very noted Egyptologist, and these are the ones he uncovered.

I also got a couple "how-to read Egyptian Hierogliphics" type books at the half-price book shop. Just to give me reference. Have not read, but may help as I get deeper...

 

Cursory glance at my books, I believe the middle symbol (looks like a banjo), is the symbol for heart and windpipe. Circle is probably the Sun, and I think those are two crocs flanking them. HOWEVER, I AM LOWER THAN A NOVICE. I have no clue what these mean. So, later, I will thumb through a couple books just to see if I can find yours. FUN!

 

Thanks for all your help, Alegandron. We really appreciate it!

I wonder if there's any actual meaning to the symbols on this scarab.

My brother and I discovered that there was a crocodile god, Sobek. Also, a crocodile with a curved tail could mean to gather/collect. I don't know how accurate this info is, but we'll keep searching.

Erin

 

I just got THIS crocodile yesterday at he NCNA Show in Charlotte (ok, so I am being a smart-aleck. )


Roman Imperial
Augustus oak crown -Agrippa rostral crown L
AE Dupondius
26mm 12.6g 10-14 CE
Nemausus chained Croc wreaths
RIC I 158

 

Agreed about Sobek.

I am sure the symbols, combined, communicate a specific meaning. LOL, I am just a complete novice, but having fun chasing some of the info down.

 

Very nice!!

 

Nice pickup! I was inspired by some of our fine members to get one last year. Although, yours is in a lot better shape!

It's a lot of fun trying to decode the ancients. But, I'm sure it can be frustrating because we don't have all the pieces to put it all together.

My brother's other scarab has a pyramid on it and we're having a tough time trying to figure it out.

But, you're doing fantastic, Alegandron! I've learned a lot from you.

Erin

 

I really hope you appreciate what good style this coin offers. Certainly it would be nice with the Rostral Crown on flan and everyone like unworn coins but the amount of design on flan and clear makes this far above average for these often scrappy coins. All three faces are nice but the croc does have a better grin. Great teeth.

 

THANK YOU @dougsmit ! I saw Bob Hurst at the NCNA Show in Charlotte and felt it was a good one. He was very fair with me, and the Orichalcum color jumped at me! He even was gracious correcting me from my butchering the word! LOL It has a good home now. I had to be careful getting it into a proper Saflip... it kept trying to BITE me!

 

Nice looking coin Alegandron good detail with slight wear, good pick-up.

 

One of the nicest ones I've seen shown here. And we've seen a lot of them!

 

Hi Erin (Johnny-d) ... ummm, hopefully I have the answer to your quest?


2nd Intermediate Period Steatite scarab
Circa 1650-1550 BC
Diameter: 21 x 15 mm
Obverse: Base engraved with two crocodiles back-to-back. Intact, once glazed, pierced for mounting.
From the David Hendin Collection

 

Thank you very kindly Sir.

 

Thank you!

 

Thanks Steve!

I love your scarab! They definitely have the same shape.

I think we have everything identified in the scarab. It would be interesting to find out its meaning.

Erin

 

WOW, Erin, my Amanhotep III Scarab came in this morn... I was expecting big, but it is even bigger in-hand than I expected. This was a GREAT Deal for me:

My other Steatite Scarabs are 1.3 - 1.8 cm approx... Little guys that fit on my finger...



Egyptian Amenhotep III Scarab
New Kingdom, Reign of Amenhotep III, 1390-1352 BC.
Obv: A stone scarab with detailed carapace and legs;
Rev: to the underside a cartouche with Neb Maat Ra, the prenomen of Amenhotep III, and series of hieroglyphs; pierced through body for suspension.
41.37 grams, 45mm (1 3/4")
Ex Gustave Mustaki collection, some of the Mustaki collection is in the British Museum,
Comments: the collection was exported to the UK with export permits in 1948.

 

Nice one Steve! Fits your animal program, and great Provenance! Love that one.

 

Holy cow, Alegandron!

That scarab is crazy big! I'm super jealous.

Man, you find the coolest scarabs.

Erin