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Details

LOT 2092

Grand Tour Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphics

19TH-20TH CENTURY A.D.

3 7/8 in. (326 grams, 98 mm).

Anatomical detailing to the carapace, head and legs, underside with twelve lines of hieroglyphic text, replicating the royal scarab of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III (ca. 1390–1352 B.C.), commemorating the construction of an artificial lake for his principal wife, Tiye. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From a private, UK, collection in the 1980s.
Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

Cf. Kozloff, A.P., Bryan, B., and Berman, L.M., Egypt's Dazzling Sun: Amenhotep III and his World, Cleveland, 1992, pp. 71-72, no.2, for a discussion of an original scarab of this type.

Footnotes

This is a replica of one of several commemorative scarabs issued by Pharaoh Amenhotep III to celebrate various events. The text reads: Regnal Year 11 under the majesty of Horus, the Strong Bull Appearing in Truth, Two Ladies, Who Established the Laws and Pacifies the Two Lands, Horus of Gold, Strong of Arm who Smites the Asiatics, King of Upper and Lower Egypt Nebmaatre, Son of Re, Amenhotep Ruler of Thebes given life, the great royal wife Tiye, may she live, whose father's name is Yuya and whose mother's name is Tjuyu. His majesty commanded the making of a basin for the great royal wife Tiye, may she live, in her town of Djarukha. Its length is 3700 (cubits) and its width is 700 (cubits.) (His Majesty) celebrated the opening of the lake in the third month of the Akhet season, day 16. The procession of his majesty in the royal barge Aten-Tjehen (literally, 'the dazzling sun disk') was in it.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 2092

Grand Tour Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphics

Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

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