Object Description
A fine Egyptian, steatite scarab dedicated to the pharaoh Thutmose III. The obverse features a moulded head and clypeus, with intersecting lines dissecting the prothorax and elytra. The flat reverse sclear incised hieroglyphs. The beetle presents four clear hieroglyphs; the ‘kheper’ beetle sign, the draught board ‘men’ sign and the circular sun disc representing ‘re’. These combine to form the name ‘Men-kheper-re’ which was the prenomen of Thutmose III, roughly translating to ‘the Established One of the Manifestation of Ra’. The final sign is a large feather of Ma’at. The scarab is pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1425 – 1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom Period, post Thutmose III’s reign.