A steatite Egyptian scarab beetle amulet with incised features. The base is carved with clear incised hieroglyphs within an oval cartouche for the prenomen of Thutmose III, transliterating as Men-Kheper-Re. The scarab beetle is further embellished with the addition of two Ma'at feathers symbolising truth. The amulet is pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Supplied with hard wax impression of the design.
 
New Kingdom Period: Circa 1550 - 1070 BC
 
Very Fine condition.
Length 14.8 mms (0.6 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.
 
Not all scarabs bearing a royal name are contemporaneous to the ruling pharaoh. Some kings were held in particularly high regard, and thus their name appears on scarabs hundreds of years after their reign. Thutmosis III of Dynasty XVIII was particularly honoured in this way, with his prenomen, Men-kheper-re and was used on scarabs for a period of approx. 1000 years as a metaphor for good luck and plenty. This scarab may have served as a protective amulet, combining royal power and divine guardianship, or as a commemorative item celebrating loyalty or service.
 
See our blog post on scarabs