Object Description
An ancient Egyptian, steatite scarab with incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The moulded obverse is stylised with a simple clypeus and head. The reverse features three registers of hieroglyphs, with a cartouche to the centre. The cartouche features four clear hieroglyphs, beginning with a circular sun disc to the top, followed by a ‘men’ draughtboard sign, a ‘n’ water ripple and a stylised ‘kheper’ beetle. Together these form the throne name of the pharaoh Thutmose III, known as ‘Menkheperre’. Above the cartouche is a familiar epithet, ‘hm ntr’, along with a few stylised single lines. To the right is the flagpole sign, ‘ntr’, meaning god. The second sign is the ‘nfr’ sign, which would translate as ‘praise’. The sign would appear as a trachea and windpipe. To the left, is a stylised formula ‘nb tAwy’, translating as ‘Lord of the two lands’. The full transliteration is ‘nTr nfr nb tAwj’ which translates as ‘perfect god, Lord of the two lands’. Beneath the cartouche are three protective hieroglyphs; an ankh flanked by two uraei.
Date: Circa 1400-1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom, post Thutmose III reign.