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Source Description
This steatite scarab is inscribed with the throne name of Thutmosis III (1479-1425 BC) in sunk relief technique on the flat underside. The top of the scarab is high and has a simple carved design. The workmanship is slightly rough, and some of the details are out of shape. The piece functioned as an individualized amulet and was originally mounted or threaded. The amulet should ensure royal protection and support its owner, and make him as successful in warding against dangers as the king. The scarab was produced after the death of Thutmosis III, who was most probably understood as a protective god and successful model of divine kingship. The combination of different royal manifestations with protective renewal and good luck elements intends to assure the all-inclusive magic power of the amulet. The body and posture of the animal figure in the lower round of the scarab is similar to a donkey, but the long horns, which are too long to be ears, make it more likely that it represents the royal bull. Images of bulls on scarabs are mostly part of a motif showing the animal trampling on an enemy.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
26540
label
Scarab with the Cartouche of Thutmosis III (1479-1425 BC)
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
6
Source metadata
id
26540
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Scarab with the Cartouche of Thutmosis III (1479-1425 BC)
description
This steatite scarab is inscribed with the throne name of Thutmosis III (1479-1425 BC) in sunk relief technique on the flat underside. The top of the scarab is high and has a simple carved design. The workmanship is slightly rough, and some of the details are out of shape. The piece functioned as an individualized amulet and was originally mounted or threaded. The amulet should ensure royal protection and support its owner, and make him as successful in warding against dangers as the king. The scarab was produced after the death of Thutmosis III, who was most probably understood as a protective god and successful model of divine kingship. The combination of different royal manifestations with protective renewal and good luck elements intends to assure the all-inclusive magic power of the amulet. The body and posture of the animal figure in the lower round of the scarab is similar to a donkey, but the long horns, which are too long to be ears, make it more likely that it represents the royal bull. Images of bulls on scarabs are mostly part of a motif showing the animal trampling on an enemy.
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1911 (?) [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
1292-1069 BCE (New Kingdom, Dynasty 19-20)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Precious Stones & Gems
scarabs
amulets
imageCount
6
pageCount
6
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
1.2
height
1.9
depth
2.7
dimensionsRaw
H: 1/2 x W: 3/4 x L: 1 1/16 in. (1.2 x 1.9 x 2.7 cm)
Source extras
cul
Egyptian
inscriptions
[Translation] Throne name of King Thutmose III in a cartouche combined with state ruler title: King of the Two Lands: Men-kheper-Re.
dynasty
19th-20th Dynasty
med
light beige steatite with blue-green glaze (?)
creator_ids
6182
collection_ids
EGY
exhibition_ids
none
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
0a1162b31701320b
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
825d33ca3a975553
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
6550ff689dac931d
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
4
type
photo
mediaId
f36a7d7d68453296
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
5
type
photo
mediaId
c352c46370c98ca6
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
6
type
photo
mediaId
484f4f47dc4dc43f
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no