A finely carved Egyptian scarab bearing the throne name of Egypt's greatest warrior pharaoh, Thutmose III.

The base is dominated by the deeply incised cartouche of Men-Kheper-Re - the throne name of Thutmose III, meaning "The Manifestation of Re Endures". The three hieroglyphs Men - Kheper - Re are clear and legible. Above the cartouche, the engraver added powerful protective emblems: a stylized winged cobra (uraeus) and the solar disk, symbols of kingship and divine protection.

The scarab itself is carved from steatite and still retains traces of its original pale glaze, now mellowed to a warm, creamy-beige patina typical of a genuine ancient piece. The back is naturalistically modeled with a distinct head, clypeus, and separated wing cases. The sides show the beetle's legs in the characteristic 19th Dynasty style - schematic but well defined. Fully pierced lengthwise, as originally worn as a seal-amulet.

Why scarabs of Thutmose III?

Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC) ruled the Egyptian empire at its greatest extent. Long after his death, his throne name Men-Kheper-Re was considered magically potent. Egyptians of the 19th Dynasty (ca. 1290-1220 BC) - the period this scarab was actually made, around 1250 BC - produced his scarabs as commemorative amulets. They were worn for protection, power, and rebirth, as the scarab beetle Khepri was the god of the rising sun and creation.

This is a classic example: not a contemporary seal of the king himself, but an ancient commemorative made 200 years later, when his memory was still revered. The crisp carving, deep cartouche, and worn glaze are exactly what we expect from an authentic New Kingdom royal name scarab.

Full Details:

• Object: Royal Name Scarab / Seal Amulet

• Name on base: Men-Kheper-Re (Thutmose III), with uraeus and solar symbols

• Period of manufacture: New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1250 BC (posthumous issue of Thutmose III, 18th Dynasty)

• Material: Steatite, with remains of original white glaze

• Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.2 cm (18 x 12 mm)

• Carving: Deep, legible hieroglyphs, well-modeled beetle, longitudinally pierced

• Condition: Very good ancient condition, smooth ancient wear, stable

• Provenance: Donald Wonder Collection (1938-2023), CA & NJ, USA. Acquired over decades, thence by descent. With old handwritten tag "19th Dyn - 1250 BC"

Price € 300,—