An Egyptian steatite amulet, inscribed on the base with a cartouche containing the familiar Men-Kheper-re formula signs for the prenomen of Thutmose III, with papyrus/lotus pairings on each side. Pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Supplied with a modern hard wax impression of the seal.
 
Later New Kingdom period: Circa 1450-1050 BC.
 
Fine condition; the top with a gouge to the elytra.
Length 17 mms (0.67 ins)
 
Provenance: From the Gustave Mustaki collection, a collector of antiquities who amassed large collection in Alexandria (Egypt) in the early 20th century and his collection came to the UK under Egyptian licence in 1947.
 
Such scarabs were not personal seals or royal names, but rather served as a protective amulet invoking general divine or regenerative power.
 
See our blog post on scarabs