Floral and Pear-Shaped Pendants and Cylindrical Beads
ca. 1390–1352 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
Floral and Pear-Shaped Pendants and Cylindrical Beads, ca. 1390–1352 B.C.E.. Faience, 5/16 x 12 13/16 in. (0.8 x 32.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Lawrence Coolidge and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, and the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 48.66.44. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Floral and Pear-Shaped Pendants and Cylindrical Beads
Date
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.E.
Dynasty
late Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Medium
Faience
Classification
Dimensions
5/16 x 12 13/16 in. (0.8 x 32.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Lawrence Coolidge and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, and the Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
48.66.44
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