Duck Bracelet of Ramesses II

This solid gold bracelet of Ramesses II is composed of two parts, linked on one side by a hinge and on the other by a clasp. The broader upper part of the bracelet is decorated with a double-headed duck. The body consists of a large chunk of lapis lazuli framed by broad bands of gold plate.

The two heads and the duck´s spread out tail were made of gold decorated with small soldered beads and wire. The fine decoration is executed by the granulation technique and consists mostly of geometric motifs.

The bezel is composed of a goose, which has two heads turned backwards over the body, carved out of one piece of lapis lazuli.

The fact that the cartouches of Ramesses II and the words for right and left are incised alongside the clasps of the bracelets, suggests that both of these bracelets were the actual ones worn by the king himself and offered these bracelets to the goddess Bastet.

“These rigid, solid gold bracelets are formed by two semi-circles connected by a hinge and a clip and have rich granule ornamentation in a series of geometric patterns. The upper part is decorated with the relief heads of two ducks with bent necks connected to a single body; the body is created with lapis lazuli while the creature’s tail is decorated with small granules of gold. The cartouches of Rameses II are engraved next to the fastener.”

― Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, by Daniela Comand (Contributor), Alessandro Bongioanni and Maria Sole Croce, The American University in Cairo Press, Cairo, Egypt, 2001

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, reign of Ramesses II, ca. 1279-1213 BC. Max. diameter 7.2 cm. From Treasure discovered in 1906, Bubastis (Tell-Basta). Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 39873