Egyptian Predynastic Terracotta Jar

A designer restrung three-strand bracelet composed of gold and composition beads coloured shades of blue, cream and brown; modern silver-coloured clasp; accompanied with a note reading 'Egyptian, Faience New Kingdom Beaded Bracelet, C. 1570-30 BC- New Kingdom to Ptolemaic Period. beautiful, restrung, elegant Egyptian beaded bracelet consisting of a selection of turquoise coloured, faience tubular beads & polychromatic disc-shaped beads, in a style inspired by the earliest bracelets known (from about 3000 BC) which were found in the tomb of King Djer.' 3.89 grams, 19 cm



Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman. Restrung from various accumulations of Egyptian beads from the last 30 years.

Rectangular plaque with a head of Bes modelled in low relief on one side and symbols on the reverse; pierced longitudinally. 3.54 grams, 20 mm



Ex early 20th century collection, London, UK.

From the New Kingdom onwards, Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities. Despite his somewhat fearsome appearance, Bes served as the patron and protector of pregnant women and children, and was also believed to shield them from snakes. Double-sided Bes amulets appear during the Third Intermediate Period and continued into the Late Period, possibly perpetuated in part by Levantine demand (Cf. Pierrat-Bonnefois, G., ”Les questions d'identité culturelle que soulèvent certaines faïences de la première moitié du Ier millénaire”, dans Bonadies, L., Chirpanlieva, I., Guillon, É. (dir.), Les Phéniciens, les Puniques et les autres. Échanges et identités en Méditerranée ancienne, Orient & Méditerranée 31, Paris, 2019, pp. 58-60, fig. 5b).

Restrung group of tubular and fusiform faience beads with D-shaped pendant and two tiers of dangles beneath. 48 grams, 80 cm long



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.