Ancient Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Prenomen of Amenhotep II
£ 350.00
A fine, ancient Egyptian, glazed steatite scarab amulet dedicated to Amenhotep II. The top of the amulet is rounded and features an inscribed head, clypeus and eyes. Aside from two short incisions at the shoulder, the rest of the top of the amulet is smooth and unadorned. On the side of the body, incised linear lines represent legs. The reverse of the scarab features a series of hieroglyphs, surrounded by a single-lined cartouche. To the top of the cartouche is the circular sun sign, transliterating as rꜤ. Beneath this is a horiztontal, linear sign, described as a wooden column and transliterated as ꜤꜢ. Three more hieroglyphs follow on the third register. Within the centre is an easily recognisable scarab beetle, ḫprw. Together with the two sigsn above, this forms the Throne name of Amenhotep II, combining as ‘ꜤꜢ-ḫprw-rꜤ’ or Aa-kheperu-Ra. This would have translated as ‘Great are the Manifestations of Ra’. There are two remaining signs on the third register. The sign to the left is obscured due to partial damage, but we can state confidently what the sign may have been from similar examples in the repertoire. The damaged sign is most likely the ‘nfr’ hieroglyph, described as a heart and windpipe combined. It translates as ‘perfect’. The final sign to the right of the scarab is the ‘nṯr’ flag hieroglyph; which translates as ‘god’.
The original blue glaze is partially preserved. The amulet is perforated horizontally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1427-1400 BC
Period: New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty
Provenance: Ex private UK collection, Mr. DP, formerly acquired from a London ADA dealership, from 2004-2012.
Condition: Good. There is a chip in one side of the base.
In stock
Ancient Egyptian amulets were not only ornamental but also considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the desert mirrored the journey of the sun across the sky from day to night. As the beetle laid its eggs within the dung, it became a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.
Amenhotep II ruled Egypt at the height of the Imperial Era for just under 26 years. He succeeded his father, Thutmose III, in 1427 BC and continued in many of his construction projects and territorial programmes. A fine and proud warrior, he led successful campaigns across the Near East and Nubia and maintained stability throughout his reign. His excellent sporting reputation is well preserved, particularly in charioteering and archery, and he was buried with his bow in the Valley of the Kings in Thebes.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
