Scarab Inscribed with the Name Menkheperra (Thutmose III)

Unknown

ca. 1295–1070 B.C. · Steatite · Egyptian Art

The center of the scarab’s base displays an oval – instead of the usual royal cartouche – encompassing hieroglyphs that form the name Menkheperre. This name is well known as the throne name of the Dynasty 18 pharaoh Thutmose III (ca. 1479-1425 B.C.), who was venerated after his death so that his name continued to appear on scarabs long after his reign. In this case, the morphology of the scarab points to a date in the late New Kingdom (Dynasty 19-20, ca. 1295-1070 B.C.). Above the oval is a nefer-hieroglyph, placed between two interlocking curls and lotus flowers at each end. Underneath the oval, the same vegetal decoration is combined on either side of a papyrus stem. The entire composition is surrounded by a rope border.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1295–1070 B.C.

Medium

Steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910