An Exhibited Egyptian Bead and Amulet Faience Necklace, Amarna Period, ca. 1353–1336 BCE

This superb necklace of brightly colored faience ring beads, is re-strung with amulets and representations of fruit, flowers and parts of plants that might also have amuletic significance.  Characteristic of the Eighteenth Dynasty and made almost exclusively of flat-backed multicolored glazed composition with a suspension loop at the top and sometimes at the bottom too, they were strung to form openwork broad collars.  Here, the flora is interspersed with a number of fine amulets that include a scarab, Isis and Taweret amulets. All growing plants were inherently symbolic of new life, but some flowers also open each morning, reconfirming the idea of resurrection.

Condition:  Re-strung, the necklace is intact and in very good condition overall.

Dimensions: Necklace Length: 13.2 inches (33.5 cm), Pendants: 1/2 inch -1/4 inch (1.3 - 0.6 cm)

Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum NY 1920-38, Boston Fine Art 1945-60, Museum of Man CA 1968 #M131. All copies of museum paperwork included.

Provenance: Provenance: Goddard and Josephine Cook DuBois, New York acquired in Egypt between 1900 and 1907.