egyptian steatite scarab to thutmose iii

Egyptian Steatite Scarab to Thutmose III

Name: Egyptian Steatite Scarab to Thutmose III
SKU: AH-1236
Availability: InStock

$807.82

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.

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Thutmose III meaning “Thoth is born” was a New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, pharaoh from 1479-1425 BC, ascending the throne at 2 years old, he was co-regent with his aunt, Hatsheput, for the first 22 years of his reign. Following many successful military campaigns, Thutmose III expanded the Egyptian empire to its largest extent, conquering land in Syria and Nubia. Thutmose III’s reign also saw some significant developments in the arts including new forms in monument and sculpture. He is known also as Thutmose the Great and adopted this particular variant to his Throne name when he ascended to co-Regent, that is after the 21st year of his reign.

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. Thutmose III was particularly honoured in this way, with his praenomen, Men-Kheper-Re, used on scarabs for a period of circa 1000 years. Given the varied formulation of this scarab, we can ascertain a postumus dating, after Thutmose III’s reign.