Ancient Egyptian Lentoid Bead Ex. Gustav Jequier (1868-1946)

Ancient Egyptian Lentoid Bead Ex. Gustav Jequier (1868-1946)

Regular price $450.00 Sale

Very detailed, Ancient Egyptian rounded lentoid bead with crossed flower and scroll pattern .Measurement: 1.1 x 1.1 x .5 cm. Material/colour: Glazed steatite. Beige bead with turquoise blue pigment remaining in pattern on reverse. Technique: stone carving with glaze; pierced for suspension

Condition: Back is worn and chipped, but still shows signs of the original bright blue glaze.

Date: This pattern originated in the Second Intermediate Period, circa 1782 - 1555 bce, but was popular into New Kingdom and even Third Intermediate Period.

Identification and Interpretation: Round lentoid bead, crossed pattern of floral motif with spiral scrolls. Function and Meaning: A bead from a necklace or bracelet. “The origin and interpretation of the geometric designs are obscure. While they may have had a purely ornamental purpose, it is possible that they possessed magical significance which was the reason for their widespread appearance . . . “(see Ben-Tor, below.) Parallels: see Daphna Ben-Tor, The Scarab, p.31, type VIII- 4. This is a fairly common type.

Provenance: Collected by Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946)

Ex. Billy Jamieson Collection, 2009 (1954-2011)

Authentication: Gayle Gibson, Royal Ontario Museum Toronto