Photo of collection object Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads
Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads, ca. 1514-1353 B.C.E.. Faience, Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm). Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.629. Creative Commons-BY.

Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads

ca. 1514-1353 B.C.E.

Maker Unknown

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Necklaces

Most ancient Egyptians owned at least one necklace.


The simplest examples were made of tiny beads of shell, bone, faience, metal, or glazed steatite. More complex versions had beads in the form of amulets, including uraeus-cobras, wedjat-eyes (the eye of the falcon-god Horus, symbolizing wholeness), scarabs (charms in the form of beetles), or images of gods such as Hathor. Individual beads as well as complete necklaces had significance. Beads reproducing fruits or flowers, such as the examples in this case, were believed to enhance fertility. Military officers presented fly necklaces to valiant soldiers to acknowledge their tenacity in battle.
Maker/Artist
Maker Unknown
Classification
Jewelry
Formatted Medium
Faience
Medium
faience
Locations
Place excavated: Sawama, Egypt
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Dimensions
Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm)
Accession Number
14.629
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

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