Scarab Inscribed with the Throne Name of Amenhotep I

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Egyptian Art galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we encounter a tiny treasure from the New Kingdom: the *Scarab Inscribed with Throne Name of Amenhot I*. Crafted around 1525–1504 B.C. during Dynasty 18, this petite amulet measures just 1.5 cm long and 1.1 cm wide, made from steatite—a soft soapstone—carefully glazed to mimic the vibrant blue-green faience popular in ancient Egypt. Donated in 1910 by Helen Gould, it exemplifies the exquisite miniature artistry of the period. Scarabs like this one held profound cultural significance, embodying the sacred dung beetle associated with Khepri, the god of the rising sun and rebirth. Often worn as jewelry or used as seals, they offered protection and symbolized renewal in the afterlife. This example bears hieroglyphs incising the throne name of Amenhotep I, the early 18th Dynasty pharaoh who helped consolidate Egypt's power after the Hyksos expulsion. Such inscriptions linked the owner to royal divine authority, blending devotion, status, and magic. The glazing technique highlights Egyptian mastery of materials, creating a durable, lustrous surface that has endured millennia. Though small, this scarab opens a window into the daily spirituality and royal reverence of New Kingdom life, reminding us how ancient Egyptians packed eternity into objects you could hold in your palm.