Jasmine Blossoms
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Necklaces
Most ancient Egyptians owned at least one necklace.
The simplest examples were made of tiny beads of shell, bone, faience, metal, or glazed steatite. More complex versions had beads in the form of amulets, including uraeus-cobras, wedjat-eyes (the eye of the falcon-god Horus, symbolizing wholeness), scarabs (charms in the form of beetles), or images of gods such as Hathor. Individual beads as well as complete necklaces had significance. Beads reproducing fruits or flowers, such as the examples in this case, were believed to enhance fertility. Military officers presented fly necklaces to valiant soldiers to acknowledge their tenacity in battle.
Most ancient Egyptians owned at least one necklace.
The simplest examples were made of tiny beads of shell, bone, faience, metal, or glazed steatite. More complex versions had beads in the form of amulets, including uraeus-cobras, wedjat-eyes (the eye of the falcon-god Horus, symbolizing wholeness), scarabs (charms in the form of beetles), or images of gods such as Hathor. Individual beads as well as complete necklaces had significance. Beads reproducing fruits or flowers, such as the examples in this case, were believed to enhance fertility. Military officers presented fly necklaces to valiant soldiers to acknowledge their tenacity in battle.
MEDIUM
Faience
DATES
ca. 1319–1190 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18 to Dynasty 19
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
Length: 20 7/8 in. (53 cm)
3/4 x Diam. 1 1/8 in. (1.9 x 2.9 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
72.56
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Helena Simkhovitch in memory of her father, Vladimir G. Simkhovitch
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
One necklace composed of forty faience beads in the form of jasmine blossoms (Jasminum Sambac L.) and one round bead with two banded discs attached to opposite sides. The blossoms are gradated, large to small. The large have six petals and the small have four petals. Colors: bright blue to bright light green. Many discolored to brown.
Condition: Discoloration to brown on many beads. Several beads missing petal tips and some large beads have petals broken off and repaired. In one case a missing portion is restored.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Jasmine Blossoms, ca. 1319–1190 B.C.E. Faience, Length: 20 7/8 in. (53 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Helena Simkhovitch in memory of her father, Vladimir G. Simkhovitch, 72.56. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.72.56_erg456.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.72.56_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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