Scarab Inscribed with the Name Menkheperre (Thutmose III)

Unknown

ca. 1186–664 B.C. · Green glazed steatite · Egyptian Art

An oval –instead of the usual royal cartouche– contains the throne name of Thutmose III, Menkheperre. Thutmose III (Dynasty 18, ca. 1479-1425 B.C.) was a pharaoh who was venerated after his death and the name of this great ruler continued to appear on stamp seals long after his reign, even into the Late Period (ca. 664-525 B.C.). This example dates to the Third Intermediate Period or slightly earlier, and shows the name with a royal title and epithet. At the top is the royal title ‘King of Upper and Lower Egypt’ while the hieroglyphs placed next to the oval are a debased version of the epithet ‘Beloved of Amun’.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1186–664 B.C.

Medium

Green glazed steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1905