/internal/media/dispatcher/794073/resize%25253Aformat%25253Dthumbnail;jsessionid=4DE994E06541F13216AB463A9D9CFDF5Pectoral1783–1550 B.C.Height x width x depth: 11.2 x 36.5 x 0.5 cm (4 7/16 x 14 3/8 x 3/16 in.)Gold, silver, with carnelian and glass inlaysEgyptian Special Purchase Fund, William Francis Warden Fund, Florence E. and Horace L. Mayer Fund1981.1591Composed of baseplates made of hammered silver sheet, with soldered and gilded silver cloisons (partitions) inlaid with carnelian and glass, this sumptuous pectoral was fit for a king. It takes the form of a vulture with outstretched wings representing the tutelary goddess of Upper Egypt, Nekhbet, grasping coils of rope, a symbol of eternity. To the left of the vulture's body is a rearing cobra. She is Wadjyt, the goddess of Lower Egypt. Together, they form a pair referred to as the "two ladies," guardian deities of the king.
The pectoral was made as a piece of funerary equipment rather than as jewelry to be worn in life. The three separate pieces representing the wings and body of the bird were not joined to one another; rather, the edges of the base plates were pierced with holes for fastening the ornament to something else, most likely the chest of the mummy or an anthropoid coffin. The wings also curve laterally, further supporting this assumption.Jewelry / Adornment11.20000000000.500000000015595901