Egyptian Faience Glass Beaded Necklace

Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate to Late Dynastic Period, 21st to 31st Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 332 BCE. An alluring necklace of a wearable form that is comprised of hundreds of petite faience seed beads covered in lustrous polychrome glaze. The singular strands behind the neck split into six even strands that drape across the middle, and the area of separation is delineated with modern fluted silver spacer caps. 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 to make jewelry and were also used to make elegant funerary nets to be placed over mummies. Strung in modern times and capped with a silver-plated loop and lobster clasp combo, this is an attractive example of ancient art meets modern fashion. Size (necklace): 18" L (45.7 cm); (largest bead): 0.125" W (0.3 cm)

Provenance: private Dunn collection, Coral Springs, Florida, USA, acquired in the 1990s

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#151491
Condition Report: Strung in modern times and wearable as shown. Faience beads are ancient, and stringing, fluted silver spacer caps, and silver-plated components are modern. Minor nicks and abrasions to some beads, otherwise intact and very good. Smooth patina and nice traces of glaze pigment throughout.