Scarab of Thutmose III

Scarab of Thutmose III

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The underside of this scarab is inscribed with a cartouche holding the name Menkheperre, the prenomen of pharaoh Thutmose III (Dynasty 18, ca. 1479-1425 B.C.) He 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.). Below is the sign of gold (nub) and above is the sign for praise (hes-vase) flanked by a pair of uraei with sun disks above their heads. The composition expresses praise to the pharaoh and calls for his protection.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Scarab of Thutmose IIIScarab of Thutmose IIIScarab of Thutmose IIIScarab of Thutmose IIIScarab of Thutmose III

The Met collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 30,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from about 300,000 BCE to the 4th century CE. A signifcant percentage of the collection is derived from the Museum's three decades of archaeological work in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing interest in the culture of ancient Egypt.