Single Strand Necklace with Bead and 5 Scarabs

ca. 1390-1292 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.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Jewelry
Formatted Medium: Faience
Medium: faience
Locations: Place excavated: Balabish, Egypt
Dynasty: Dynasty 18
Period: New Kingdom
Dimensions: Overall Length: 12 5/8 in. (32 cm) (Largest Scarab): 3/16 x 3/8 x 1/2 in. (0.5 x 0.9 x 1.3 cm) (Smallest Scarab): 3/16 x 5/16 x 3/8 in. (0.4 x 0.8 x 1 cm) (Cowroid): 3/16 x 1/4 x 3/8 in. (0.4 x 0.6 x 0.9 cm)
Departments: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Accession Number: 15.498
Credit Line: Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
Exhibitions: Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
Rights Statement: Creative Commons-BY
Museum Location: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Dominant Colors