Mesopotamian - Scarab with a Standing Ruler - Walters 4269 - Bottom

This jasper scarab has a flat underside with a design in sunk relief combining royal and divine images with a ruler, lotus plants, and a moon crescent. The design of the back is very detailed with irregular line flow and well-organized layout. The piece is carefully made and the workmanship is good.
This piece functioned as an amulet with ruler (?) connotations and was originally mounted or threaded. The amulet should secure the authority of the ruler, as well as divine protection and renewal.

Although the bottom design of the scarab has Egyptian elements, the main iconography as well as the style of the scarab body are Neo-Babylonian or Achaemenide. The scene is a variation of the worshipper-with-altar-motif. If the "Was"-scepter maintained its Egyptian meaning, the depicted person must represent a king of deity.