Late to Ptolemaic Period, Ca. 664 - 30 BC.
An Egyptian turquoise necklace crafted from pale green beads. In the centre lies three biconical, elegant gold beads set in symmetrical position, and a gold 19 ct rabbit with ruby inlaid eyes suspended below. In Egyptian culture, rubies held a special significance as symbols of power, protection, and vitality. While rubies were not native to Egypt, they were highly prized and sought after by the ancient Egyptians for their vibrant red color and perceived mystical properties. Rubies were often associated with the sun god Ra and were believed to embody the fiery energy of the sun. As such, they were considered symbols of life, strength, and vitality. The deep red hue of rubies was also associated with blood, linking them to concepts of rebirth and renewal. This piece has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements.
Size: 210mm x 23mm; Weight: 16g
Provenance: Property of a London gallery; previously in a collection of a North London gentleman; formerly in a collection of Mrs B. Ellison, a deceased former member of the Egyptian Exploration Fund, bought from the 1940s, Cairo and London.