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Necklace of fly beads
Egyptian
New Kingdom, Dynasty 18
1550–1295 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Gold; carnelian
Dimensions
Length (without modern chain) 10 1/2 in. (26.7cm) Flies 1.1 to 1.7 cm
Credit Line
William Stevenson Smith Fund
Accession Number1980.167
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Necklaces and neck bands
DescriptionGold and carnelian necklace composed of 29 hollow gold flies alternating with spherical carnelian beads and tubular gold foil beads.
Fly ornament necklaces, occasionally presented to courageous soldiers, may have been worn as talismans to ward off insects.
Fly ornament necklaces, occasionally presented to courageous soldiers, may have been worn as talismans to ward off insects.
Provenance1913:collected in Egypt; 1913-1979: New York private collection; 1979: purchased by the MFA at Sotheby Parke Bernet auction December 13, 1979.
(Accession Date: December 13, 1979)
(Accession Date: December 13, 1979)