beads necklace

String of mixed beads, in green, blue and white, with a rosette at the centre. Old label attached: 18th Dynasty 1700BC.

Dates: Early: -1549 Late: -1298 Period: 18 dynasty

faience

L: 420 mm Dia(of rosette): 16 mm

Even in the Predynastic period some jewellery was in use. By the New Kingdom when all these beads were made, men and women were wearing bright and ornate necklaces, collars and bracelets. Rich people may have worn gold and silver but poorer people could have had faience. The blue and green beads are made of faience (lime and ash mixed with sand, glazed and fired). Many people also wore amulets or good luck symbols related to the gods. The amulet shaped like a cat represents Bastet, the goddess of pleasure.