Fashioned during the Middle Kingdom, this enchanting necklace pairs the soft violet glow of amethyst with a small Ba Bird amulet carved from green feldspar. The string is composed of twenty-eight substantial amethyst beads, mostly shaped into long, gently swelling bicones; charmingly, one remains distinctly misshapen, perhaps an unfinished scaraboid or an experimental attempt at...
This luminous broad collar, fashioned from glazed composition, is a jewel of colour and meaning. Its three openwork rows bloom like the gardens of Amarna, with the upper ring bearing yellow mandrake fruits, beneath them unfurl green fronds of date palm, and below, a fringe of yellow, white, and mauve lotus petals. Between each pendant...
Delicate yet imbued with potent symbolism, this captivating pendant dates from the Third Intermediate Period. With the twilight centuries of the New Kingdom now past, this miniature masterpiece of sacred adornment evokes the lingering splendour of a once radiant golden age. Fashioned from rich gold and vivid turquoise (a gemstone revered in Ancient Egyptian thought...
The Eye of Re Pectoral is associated with ancient Egyptian symbolism, where the Eye of Re represents protection, royal power, and divine authority, often depicted with a rearing cobra, symbolizing the violent aspect that defends against chaos. The necklace, on which this pectoral was suspended in the layer of amulets nearest to the king’s mummy,...
The necklace of Khenmet is surmounted by a strand of gold beads of increasing diameter towards the centre, consisting of six rows of gold beads. Four rows are formed by the succession of the hieroglyphs ankh, was, djed, symbolising life, power, stability respectively. At the ends of the necklace are attached two exquisite gold falcon...
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...
This string of glazed composition beads; with various colours and forms, including grapes and daisies, dates from the 18th Dynasty of Pharaonic Egypt. It is 32.5cm in length and was purchased from Hon Richard Bethell and acquired by the British Museum (EA57886) in 1925. The striking colours of both the amulets and the beadwork of...
The Usekh adorned collar of Queen Ahhotep I, with clasp made from two hawk heads, formed by small elements representing baboons, quadrupeds, birds, crosses, bells and geometrical motifs. The Usekh or Wesekh is a personal ornament, a type of broad collar or necklace. It was one of the most common types of Egyptian ornaments. It...
The central motif of this small, elegant beaded collar, is a large, hollow gold ball bead flanked by a pair of amulets in the form of wadjet eyes, one of the most popular and powerful amulets for warding off potential threats. Centrally placed on each side of the main motif is an openwork amulet representing...
Gold inlay necklace and pendant with scarab from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. A flexible pectoral with suspension chains and counterpoise clasp. This necklace with pectoral of the rising sun on the horizon is one of the finest of the many pectorals found in king Tut’s treasures. It has a large lapis lazuli scarab in the...
