A GROUP OF EGYPTIAN AMETHYST BEADS.
Middle-Kingdom to New-Kingdom, ca. 2060 - 1069 BCE
L. min 5 mm / Max. 38 mm

Provenance
Formerly with, Saskia Wessel, 05.01.1984

Hand-cut and drilled, each bead is carved into rounded biconical shapes, and polished to a smooth finish.
Wadi el-Hudi, located in the Eastern Desert about 35 kilometers southeast of Aswan, was the primary source of amethyst in ancient Egypt. These quarries, the oldest known to date, were heavily exploited during the Middle Kingdom when amethyst was highly prized. Archaeological discoveries of inscriptions and stelae reveal the scale and organization of mining expeditions. Transported to the Nile Valley, the stones were crafted into precious objects. Associated with the goddess Hathor, known as the "Lady of Amethyst," this gemstone held deep symbolic and spiritual significance in Egyptian culture.

Estimate: 1000 - 1500 CHF