EGYPTIAN PLAQUE INSCRIBED FOR THE KING THUTMOSE III

EGYPTIAN PLAQUE INSCRIBED FOR THE KING THUTMOSE III
New Kingdom, Ca. 1479 - 1425 BC.A fine rectangular Egyptian blue-glazed steatite plaque is inscribed on the base with Thutmose III's first name, Menkheperre. On the other side, a scene shows a horse, a manifestation of the Pharaoh, trampling an enemy, most likely a Syrian. A standing ape is depicted before the horse with its arms raised. Above all is an empty cartouche, likely intended to represent the name of the Pharaoh. This image likely has two meanings: the first is the Pharaoh being victorious over the enemies of Egypt; the second relates to the sun god Re rising on the eastern horizon where he destroys the forces of evil and is worshipped by sacred baboons. The scene also has cryptographic value, as the cartouche can be read as “name, ” the horse can be read as “good” or “beautiful, ” and the standing ape can be read as “adore” or “worship.” This results in the phrase “Worship the Good Name, ” i.e. the name of the Pharaoh.Size: 30mm x 22mm; Weight: 12gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a report from Simone Musso, consultant curator for Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum, Florence, Italy, member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition.