Ancient Egyptian Authentic Plaster Heart Scarab // Museum Display

This jaw-dropping collection from RARE-T features a staggering array of authentic antiques, artifacts, oddities, skulls, and cruelty-free taxidermy from various eras in history.

This custom museum display showcases an absolute masterpiece, an authentic Large Rising Sun Painted plaster Heart Scarab dating from 1069-664 BC, part of the Third Intermediate to Late Period Dynasty. The Heart scarab is a memorializing artifact, or a grave good. The heart scarab was used by referring to Chapter 30 from the Book of the Dead, and the weighing of the heart, being balanced by Goddess Maat, of Justice, Truth, & Order. As in many current religions, the individual had to show 'worthiness' to achieve the Afterlife.

Symbolizing self-creation or rebirth, large examples with symbolic hieroglyphic 'spells', were often placed on the chest of the mummified deceased or wrapped inside the bandages over that part of the body. When a person died and went to their final judgment, the gods of the underworld would ask many detailed and intricate questions which had to be answered precisely and ritually. Since many people of those days were illiterate, even placing a copy of this scroll in their coffin would not be enough to protect them from being sent to Hell for giving a wrong answer.

As a result, the priests would read the questions and their appropriate answers to the beetle, which would then be killed, mummified, and placed in the ear of the deceased. When the gods then asked their questions, the ghostly scarab would whisper the correct answer into the ear of the supplicant, who could then answer the gods wisely and correctly.

Unique of-a-kind, you'll receive the exact piece shown in the photos, protected under plexiglass in a custom display to keep it looking pristine, ensuring protection of your investment while allowing you to fully appreciate this piece of collectible ancient history. The customized descriptive metallic plaque, in addition to the detailed finishing, add to the elegant, gallery quality look. Complete with a certificate of authenticity, this crown jewel of any collection is an investment that will only get better with age.