Wild Bull Hunt Scarab of Amenhotep III

Description

Large commemorative scarabs are characteristic of Amenhotep III’s reign. About 200 are known, and all are inscribed with texts on their undersides, recording significant events in the life of the king and queen. This particular scarab is one of only 5 known examples that describe a royal bull hunt undertaken in his second year of rule, in which the king killed 96 bulls. More than just a pastime, the king’s success as a hunter symbolized the triumph of royal order over the forces of nature and chaos.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1984-)

Wild Bull Hunt Scarab of Amenhotep III

[]

c. 1391–1353 BCE

Accession Number

1984.36

Medium

steatite

Dimensions

Overall: 10.5 x 6.6 x 2.5 cm (4 1/8 x 2 5/8 x 1 in.)

Classification

Scarabs

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Betty and Max Ratner