Description
| ITEM | Heart scarab inscribed with a spell from the Book of the Dead (Chapter 30B) |
| MATERIAL | Stone, Serpentine |
| CULTURE | Egyptian, Late period |
| PERIOD | 664 – 332 B.C |
| DIMENSIONS | 46 mm x 37 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition. Includes old Certificate of Authenticity from Christophe Varosi, Diplômé en Histoire de l’Art (2002) |
| PROVENANCE | Ex Belgian private collection, S.L., acquired before 2000s |
The Egyptian heart scarab was a powerful amulet used in funerary contexts, especially from the New Kingdom onward, and often inscribed with texts from the Book of the Dead. Typically made of green stone such as jasper, serpentine, or glazed steatite, the heart scarab was placed over the chest of the deceased during burial. It symbolized the heart—considered the seat of thought, emotion, and moral judgment in ancient Egyptian belief—and was meant to ensure a favorable outcome in the afterlife judgment.
Many heart scarabs bear an inscription of Chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead, a spell that addresses the deceased’s heart directly, imploring it not to testify against them during the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony before Osiris. The spell includes lines such as: “O my heart which I had from my mother! O my heart which I had upon earth! Do not stand against me as a witness!” This plea reflects the deep anxiety surrounding the judgment process, where the heart would be weighed against the feather of Maat (truth and justice). If found heavier, the deceased would face annihilation; if balanced, they could enter the afterlife.
The heart scarab thus functioned both magically and morally. It was not merely an ornament but a guarantor of silence and loyalty—a way to ensure that the deceased’s own conscience (embodied by the heart) would not betray them. The spell carved or painted onto the base of the scarab was carefully chosen to serve as a permanent, divine petition for mercy and righteousness. The presence of this text made the object a sacred tool of protection and a direct link between the deceased and the cosmic order.
These scarabs were often mounted on gold or linen pectorals and tied with cords, placed over the heart or chest.
