The following are a few of the defects which are to be noted in some of the specimens illustrated on [Plate VIII].
The first five scarabs are of a turquoise blue colour, made of china, and most probably of European manufacture. The modelling is good, but the colour is unusual and too glossy.
No. 1 has a wish, “May you live for ever,” cut upon its base.
No. 2 has a cartouche of Thothmes III. upon it.
No. 3 is very well cut. The inscription is a little uneven, but the only sign of imitation is that the glazing is too bright.
No. 4 has also the cartouche of Thothmes III. upon it, but is badly cut.
In No. 5 the pro-thorax of the beetle is out of proportion.
No. 6 is a small and very well-shaped scarab of a beautiful colour. The modelling is very good, and the maker has imitated the wear upon the old scarabs exceedingly well. He has run a very fine line of glaze between the wings and the thorax, but the features of the head are indicated by marks and not by cuttings. This is only to be seen with a magnifying glass. The above was bought for three piastres, but represents one of the most beautiful forged scarabs I have ever seen.
No. 7 is of good colour, but badly shaped. The inscription is fairly well cut, except that the serpents come out from the bottom of the cartouche instead of from the side, and the name of Thothmes III. is not clearly cut.
No. 8. This scarab is made of soft white composition, and painted black. The inscription, Ra-Men-Kheper, is beautifully cut, but unfortunately this does not show well in the illustration. The making of forged black scarabs is a new departure which has been seen for the first time this year. The price paid was 2s.