O’REILLYS Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver Auction Starting 22nd February 2023 at 12pm

own engagement ring modelled as a serpent. Emerald was set in the head of the serpent; the eyes were set with Rubies and there were also diamonds set throughout the ring. The image of the serpent is still just as prevalent within the use of luxury jewellery houses the world over. Most notably in Bulgari, Boucheron and Car tier. The Dung Beetle, like the snake, was an impor tant symbol for life and death for the ancient Egyptians. The solar deity, Khepri, was usually depicted as a scarab beetle or in human form with the head of a scarab beetle. He was associated with the rising sun and dawn. Ra was the sun of the midday and Atun or Atum was the sun as it set, another meaning for the afterlife. All three together, Khepri, Ra and Atun are all aspects of one pri- mary deity, the Sun god.The dung beetle would roll its dung ball across the sand, their eggs would also hatch from the dung ball, they likened this to the sun disks movement across the sky and thus the scarab became the symbol for Khepri.The scarabs were seen as pro- tection, the cycle of life and death. During the mummification process they scarab amulets were placed over the deceased’s hear t, believed to help the dead in their final judgement. Royals and commoners were buried with scarab ornaments and emblems.They symbolised transformation and bir th and resurrection. 9 Lot 274 AVINTAGE GOLD NECKLACE, the rope link chain set with two carved scarabs in tiger's eye and aventurine quar tz, suspending a fur ther quar tz scarab pendant in a rolled gold mount €300 - €450 LIVE AUCTION OF FINE JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & COINS • WEDNESDAY, 22nd FEB 2023 AT 12PM Natasha Bernon