An impressive Ancient Egyptian steatite scarab. The obverse features a detailed clypeus, head, prothorax and elytra. The base of the scarab is chipped but the image remains clear. The reverse features a pharaoh on a throne holding a shepherd's crook. To the right are three signs; a ‘re’ sun disk to the top, a ‘mn’ draughtboard sign in the centre and a final scarab ‘kheper’ sign. Together these form the prenomen of the pharaoh Thutmose III and transliterates as Men-Kheper-Re. Beneath is the commonly seen ‘neb’ basket sign. The scarab is pierced for suspension. 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. Measurements: L 1.5cm x W 1.1cm x D 0.7cm Provenance: Ex-AH collection of scarabs, London 1980-2000's.