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Shebiu Necklace of Amenhotep

New Kingdom
ca. 1473–1458 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 116
This necklace of lentil-shaped beads was found on top of the coffin of a twelve-year-old boy named Amenhotep (36.3.153). The necklace and two armlets found in Amenhotep's coffin (36.3.155, 36.3.156) are made of Egyptian faience, a ceramic material made of quartz frit. These pieces of jewelry are sized for an adult, and may have been a gift from the child's father.

Gold necklaces of lentoid beads (shebiu-collars) and arm bands (a'a-armlets) were part of the honor jewelry presented by the king to important officials other highly valued individuals. Combinations of gold and blue armlets are depicted in tomb paintings (see the detail of facsimile 30.4 106 above), and it is possible that the faience versions of the gold jewelry were part of the sets, not just imitations.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shebiu Necklace of Amenhotep
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1473–1458 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, below the Tomb of Senenmut (TT 71), Burial of Amenhotep, on coffin lid, MMA excavations, 1935–36
  • Medium: Faience, linen cord
  • Dimensions: L. of necklace with cord 63 cm (24 13/16 in.); Diam. of beads 1.35 cm (9/16 in.); Th. of beads 0.3 cm (1/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: 36.3.154
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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