Egyptian bead necklace, A variety of dates for the different beads, from Early-Late Dynastic Period, c.2600-332 BC
Lapis lazuli and gold
Length of chain: 40.5cm, height of Neith: 3.3cm
11157
Charles Ede, London
A restrung necklace composed of lapis lazuli beads and amulets interspersed with gold beads, at the centre is a carved amulet of the crowned goddess Neith. The chain is modern...
A restrung necklace composed of lapis lazuli beads and amulets interspersed with gold beads, at the centre is a carved amulet of the crowned goddess Neith. The chain is modern and of 18ct gold.
Lapis lazuli is not indigenous to Egypt, so was imported from northeast Afghanistan from the Predynastic period onwards, but in largest quantities during the Middle and New Kingdoms. The Egyptians believed that the stone had magical powers, which made them a popular material for amulets.
Neith was a hunter and a warrior, the mother of the crocodile god Sobek, and an aid to man in his struggle against his enemies. Though she was invoked early on, her worship was in decline in the Middle and New Kingdoms, and it wasn’t until the 26th Dynasty and the establishment of the capital at Sais that we see her cult surge to prominence and the majority of her statues being made.
Lapis lazuli is not indigenous to Egypt, so was imported from northeast Afghanistan from the Predynastic period onwards, but in largest quantities during the Middle and New Kingdoms. The Egyptians believed that the stone had magical powers, which made them a popular material for amulets.
Neith was a hunter and a warrior, the mother of the crocodile god Sobek, and an aid to man in his struggle against his enemies. Though she was invoked early on, her worship was in decline in the Middle and New Kingdoms, and it wasn’t until the 26th Dynasty and the establishment of the capital at Sais that we see her cult surge to prominence and the majority of her statues being made.
Provenance
Gustave Mustaki, Alexandria, Egypt; exported from Egypt to the UK under licence c.1950Elsa McLellan, UK; by descent from the above
Private collection, London, UK; by descent from the above
