New Kingdom, Reign of Tuthmose III, 1479-1425 BC. A carnelian amulet in the form of a duck with head bent back over body, detailing of feathers; underside engraved with cartouche bearing name Men-Kheper-Ra, prenomen of Tuthmose III, with ostrich feathers to either side. 1.81 grams, 14mm (3/4") From an important collection of the early 20th century. Tuthmose III was known as the Napoleon of Egypt due to his military campaigns. During the first twenty-two years of Tuthmose's reign he was co-regent with his stepmother and aunt, Hatshepsut, who was named the pharaoh, whilst he served as a general in her army. After the death of Hatshepsut, and Tuthmose III's later rise to pharaoh, he created the largest empire Egypt had ever seen; no fewer than seventeen campaigns were conducted, and he conquered from Niya in North Syria to the Fourth Cataract of the Nile in Nubia. After his death he was deified and became the subject of an oracular cult based in the region of Thebes that was extremely popular with the workmen of the royal necropolis in the Valley of the Kings.

Extremely fine condition.