Menat Necklace from Malkata

A menat necklace was created out of a substantial keyhole-shaped counterpoise and an assortment of beaded strands. Despite its title of necklace, the menat necklace is seldom depicted being worn, but was most commonly carried by females engaging in sacred ceremonies and rituals.

The necklace served as a percussion instrument, shaken to produce a calming sound that was considered to placate and please a god or goddess.

This necklace in particular is made out of faïence, bronze or copper alloy, glass, agate, carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise.

It functioned as a percussion instrument that was shaken to create a soothing noise that was thought to appease a god or goddess. In the New Kingdom the menat necklace and sistrum were attributes of women who held the title “Singer of Amun-Re” such as Renenutet, who is depicted holding her menat on her lap in a statue.

In the early 20th century, the Museum conducted excavations at Malkata, a site at the southern end of the Theban necropolis where Amenhotep III had built a festival city for the celebration of his three jubilees (or heb seds).

This miraculously preserved menat necklace and two single-strand necklaces of beads and amulets were found in the corner of a room in a private house near the King’s Palace. According to the excavators, the three necklaces had been placed in a linen bag, traces of which were still visible.