Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads, ca. 1514–1353 B.C.E. Faience, Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.629. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.14.629_NegL1008_29_print_bw.jpg)
Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads, ca. 1514–1353 B.C.E. Faience, Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.629. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.14.629_15.502_48.66.55_erg456.jpg)
Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
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.
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.
MEDIUM
Faience
DATES
ca. 1514–1353 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
14.629
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
PROVENANCE
Tomb 26, Sawama, Egypt; 1914, excavated by Gerald Avery Wainwright and Thomas Whittemore for the Egypt Exploration Society; 1914, gift of the Egypt Exploration Society to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Necklace of Drum-Shaped Beads, ca. 1514–1353 B.C.E. Faience, Approximate length: 36 5/8 in. (93 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.629. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.14.629_NegL1008_29_print_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.14.629_NegL1008_29_print_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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