Fly Pendants and Cylindrical and Spherical Beads
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
1 of 2
Object Label
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.
Caption
Fly Pendants and Cylindrical and Spherical Beads, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.. Gold, lapis lazuli, Length: 9 11/16 in. (24.6 cm) Fly Pendant: 11/16 x 5/8 in. (1.8 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.198. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Fly Pendants and Cylindrical and Spherical Beads
Date
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Place collected: Egypt
Medium
Gold, lapis lazuli
Classification
Dimensions
Length: 9 11/16 in. (24.6 cm) Fly Pendant: 11/16 x 5/8 in. (1.8 x 1.6 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
08.480.198
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