Faience scarab, Amenhotep III

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Scarab
Geographical origin unknown
Dark blue faience

Donor unrecorded
Museum number 1975-488-1

Scarabs were mostly made for the living as amulets or charms and were believed to have protective powers. They were also used as seals bearing the names and titles of officials, kings or members of royal families. This is a very fine example with the cartouche enclosing three hieroglyphs that read "Nebmaatra", the throne-name of King Amenhotep III. It includes the epithet of the king "mighty in forearm" denoting a powerful king.