Necklace
Unknown Artist
ca. 1981–1295 B.C.
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
l. 39 cm (15 3/8 in)
Classification
Necklace, beads
Period
Middle Kingdom–Early New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1915
Accession Number
15.3.454
Art Historical Context
This exquisite faience necklace, dating from around 1981–1295 B.C. during Egypt's Middle Kingdom to Early New Kingdom (Dynasties 12–18), showcases the ancient Egyptians' mastery of vibrant, affordable jewelry. Crafted from faience—a glazed ceramic composite of quartz, lime, and clay—the piece gleams with the signature turquoise-blue hue that mimicked precious stones like lapis lazuli and turquoise materials reserved for elites. At 39 cm long, it would have draped elegantly around the neck, likely strung with beads or amulets for both men and women. Faience's significance lies in its productio...