String of ball beads, cowrie-styled beads, and a scarab

Late Middle Kingdom–Early New Kingdom

ca. 1802–1450 B.C.

Not on view

This group of beads was found in a heap west of the pyramid of Amenemhat I, apparently thrown there by plunderers. The scarab that has been strung in the center dates to mid to late Dynasty 13 and has been assigned to a workshop at the Delta site of Tell el-Dab'a (see Headband with Heads of Gazelles). It is inscribed with the letters p, t, and h, and with a papyrus plant, but this does not spell a name. The other elements on this string are ball beads and beads in the shape of cowrie shells.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: String of ball beads, cowrie-styled beads, and a scarab
Period: Late Middle Kingdom–Early New Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 13–18, early
Date: ca. 1802–1450 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, west of Pyramid, plunderers heap, MMA excavations, 1920–22
Medium: Faience, glazed steatite
Dimensions: L. 40.5 cm (15 15/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Object Number: 22.1.1279
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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