Egyptian Revival Scarab Pendant

The scarab is an ancient amulet and a symbol of rebirth and the afterlife.   Perhaps it was found by a Victorian adventurer as she or he explored the ancient ruins along the Nile.

Interpreting ancient Egyptian inscriptions and hieroglyphics is not one of our areas of expertise.  So,  we can't tell you the meaning of the carving on the back of the scarab.

The new owners of this pendant have a passion for ancient Egypt and were kind enough to offer the following interpretation of the inscriptions on the back of the scarab:

"To provide a partial answer to the question posed on your web site:  The figure on the left is a pharaoh,  as can be determined by the crown  [partially broken away  -  The Egyptian dynastic period started with the unification of upper and lower Egypt around 3700 BCE.  This was symbolized by the unification of the red and white crowns representing the upper and lower reaches of the Nile.  The figure on the scarab appears to be wearing the red crown.],  by the crook  [the crook and the flail were symbols of office like the orb and scepter in the English crown jewels],  and by the ceremonial beard,  which even the rare female rulers would wear.

Sun worship was the basis of the Egyptian religion.  The circular disk at the top of the carving probably was intended to show that the pharaoh had the protection or favor of Ra.  The half moon and trapezoidal shapes at the bottom were associated with graves  [mastaba]  and underworld themes.  The figure on the right is indistinct,  but possibly Isis or Horus,  both associated with resurrection.  Many of the symbols in the carving have possible graphological and religious interpretations,  as well as purely pictorial ones.  It is likely that various levels of meaning were intended.  For example,  the name of the pharaoh may be encoded in the hieroglyphs that have syllabic interpretations."

The scarab is inscribed with one of the throne names  (i.e. one of the two names normally written in a cartouches)  of the 19th Dynasty Pharoah usually known,  from his other throne name,  as Ramses VI  who reigned circa  1200 BC.

The transliteration is  "Neb-Maat-Re; Mery-Amun"  which is translatable as  "Lord of the Truth of Ra,  Beloved of Amun".

The circle at the top is the glyph for  "Ra" or  "Re" the sun god.  The seated figure to the right wears the crown with two high plumes which identifies him as Amun.  The seated figure on the left is Maat,  goddess of truth and order,  her crown consists of a feather,  which is not obvious from the photograph,  but I suspect would be visible on examination.  The glyph below the seated figures is  "mer" meaning beloved,  the semicircle below that is  "Neb",  "lord".

For a close parallel see Newberry,  Ancient Egyptian Scarabs Plate XXXVI no.26.