Egyptian Faience Bead Necklace - Four Strands

**First Time At Auction**

Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate to Late Dynastic Period, ca. 1070 to 332 BCE. A gorgeous and wearable necklace composed of hundreds of glazed faience seed beads. A single strand (behind the neck) branches out into four individual strands cascading in front. Modern fluted sterling silver spacer caps separate the single strand and the four strands, and the ends are secured with a modern sterling silver loop and lobster clasp combo. The ancient Egyptians referred to faience as "tjehnet" - meaning brilliant or dazzling - and was made from ground quartz or sand crystals together with various elements. Faience beads were used in everyday jewelry and were also used to make burial nets to be placed over mummies. Strung in modern times and secured with a modern sterling silver loop and lobster clasp combo, this is a beautiful example of wearable ancient Egyptian art! Size (necklace): 19.125" L (48.6 cm); size of largest bead: 0.125" W (0.3 cm).

Provenance: ex-private Simonian collection, Switzerland, acquired in 1972

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#147587
Condition Report: Strung in modern times and wearable as shown. Faience beads are ancient, and stringing and sterling silver components are modern. Beads have minor nicks and abrasions, though most are covered in rich patina.