Lot 117A
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A vibrant interplay of desert blue and sunlit red, this necklace evokes the color sensibilities of Late Period Egypt while remaining wearable for the modern collector. Composed of ancient blue-green faience beads interspersed with coral elements and restrung on a contemporary strand with a metal hook clasp, the piece bridges antiquity and present adornment. The cylindrical faience beads, in softly varied hues of turquoise, celadon, and pale green, were originally crafted during Egypt's Late Dynastic era, spanning the Late Period through the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Faience - a glazed non-clay ceramic made primarily of crushed quartz - was prized for its luminous surface and symbolic resonance. Its blue-green tones were associated with rebirth, fertility, and the regenerative waters of the Nile, as well as with protective deities such as Hathor and Osiris. Even modest beads carried amuletic value, functioning as both ornament and spiritual safeguard. Size of largest bead: 0.5" L (1.3 cm); of necklace: 28" L (71.1 cm)
The coral beads, strung in regular intervals between the ancient faience elements, are modern additions designed to echo how such necklaces may have appeared in antiquity. Red accents were highly favored in Late Period jewelry, whether rendered in carnelian, jasper, glass, or other vivid materials. Their inclusion here recreates the striking chromatic contrast characteristic of Egyptian adornment, where blue-green and red formed a deliberate visual dialogue symbolizing vitality and protection.
Restrung for stability and ease of wear, the necklace is finished with a contemporary metal hook clasp. The arrangement honors the aesthetic logic of ancient Egyptian jewelry while allowing the beads to be appreciated as a cohesive and functional ornament today. Both artifact and revival, this necklace offers a glimpse into the enduring elegance of Late Dynastic Egyptian craftsmanship - where color was never merely decorative, but alive with meaning.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#201170
- Condition: Ancient faience beads strung with modern coral beads on a modern strand with a metal clasp to be wearable. Weathering, chips, and abrasions to faience beads. Otherwise, nice overall presentation.
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