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LOT 0504
Egyptian Faience Bead Necklace
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
15 3/4 in. (7.93 grams, 40 cm).
A netted beadwork composed of red and blue tubular beads; restrung with a modern clasp.
ProvenanceEx John Moor galley, 1990s.
From the H.W. collection, UK.
Accompanied by a previous cataloguing card.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Silver Hathor Head Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
A finely detailed head of the goddess Hathor with a human face, divine beard, and cow ears, with a ribbed suspension loop on top. 0.68 grams, 11 mm
From an early 20th century collection. -
Egyptian Carnelian Frog Amulet
New Kingdom, circa 1550-1070 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Seated frog on an oval base, with longitudinal suspension hole between legs; damaged. 1.2 grams, 12 mm
From an early 20th century collection. -
Egyptian Necklace with Fly Beads
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, 1550-1350 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Group of restrung annular turquoise beads with gilt-metal interstitial collars and carnelian fly amulets; S-hook and eye closure; with custom display box. 10.45 grams, 48.5 cm long
Ex Swiss collection, kept in London since the 1980s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue page.
Since Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were simply a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard due to their quick speed, reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity, and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome airborne creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.
