16″ Egyptian necklace with carnelian, cowrie shell and beans

Description

Size: 16″ Long

The cowrie shells were adapted from a belt found in a tomb at Abydos. The belt is now in the collection of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. This type of belt was worn by women in the Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 B.C.E.). Shells of this type may have amuletic significance.
24K antique gold-plate over pewter enhanced by carnelian beads.