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Miniature broad collar

early Ptolemaic Period
332–246 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134
Depictions of Egyptian pharaohs presenting broad collars and other items of jewelry to deities are often found on temple walls. In the New Kingdom, these representations feature collars that tend to be nearly circular and, sometimes, to have a counterweight hanging from the back. Similar scenes in Ptolemaic temples tend to show semicircular collars that have long strings or chains at the back, but no counterweight, an arrangement that resembles this collar. The collar does not lie flat but slopes in way suggesting it was meant to lie across the chest of a divine statuette; however, the long chains and lack of counterweight would make such a fit very awkward. The possibility exists that the collar was a ritual offering and was not meant for wearing.

Moving from the outermost to the innermost bands, the six strands of the necklace comprise: 1) turquoise drop beads alternating with lapis triangles; 2) hanging lapis and turquoise lotuses with gold stems that alternate with gold buds, interstices filled with carnelian; 3) turquoise rosettes with gold centers separated by bands of lapis; 4) hanging lapis and turquoise papyrus flowers with gold stems alternating with round gold shapes (mandrakes?), spaces filled with carnelian; 5) turquoise triangles alternating with turquoise and lapis petal-shaped forms, the pattern suggesting hanging floral forms; 6) hanging turquoise lilies separated by long gold leaves. Block borders of lapis and turquoise with gold finish the top, and hinged to them are lotus flower terminals with lapis and turquoise inlays.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Miniature broad collar
  • Period: early Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: 332–246 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Eastern Delta; Probably from Tukh el-Qaramus
  • Medium: Gold, carnelian, turquoise, lapis lazuli
  • Dimensions: H. 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.); W. 10.3 cm (4 1/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.121.1
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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