Bead

Art Historical Context

This delicate carnelian bead, to around 1850–1750 B.C., hails from Egypt's Middle Kingdom during the late Dynasty 12 to early Dynasty 13. just 1.6 cm in length, it exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian artisans who transformed semiprecious stones into everyday treasures. Carnelian, a vibrant reddish-orange chalcedony often sourced through trade routes, was highly valued for its warm glow and durability, making it ideal for jewelry components like this one. In the Middle Kingdom—a period of renewed stability and artistic revival after the chaotic First Intermediate Period...