Faience scarab with details to the carapace, the legs folded to the side of the body; pierced for suspension. To the underside are a series of hieroglyphs spelling out the throne name of Tuthmosis III, Menkheperre, with symbols to the bottom meaning “Lord of the two lands”. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Tuthmosis III, 1479 – 1425 BC,
11mm long.

Tuthmosisi III is noted as a military genius in Egyptian history, conducting at least sixteen campaigns over twenty years. During his rule he conquered much of the Near East from the Euphrates and Nubia to the south of Egypt’s borders. He thus established the Egyptian Empire at its greatest extent. Egyptian pharaohs had several names and titles, but they are commonly mentioned on monuments with two names in cartouches, the throne name, and the birth name. The throne name of Tuthmosis is Menkheperre, meaning “Lasting is the manifestation of Ra”, whilst his birth name of Tuthmosis means “Thoth is born”.

For a similar example see The Portland art Museum, accession number 29.16.538

Purchased during the Second World War by Major G.A.D Gordon (Royal Army Medical Corps) from Sayad Molattam, a dealer in antiquities based at the Luxor Hotel. Mr Gordon's personal war diaries, which are now held in the Museum of Military Medicine in Aldershot, date his stay in Luxor from the 21st of February to the 1st of March 1942.