Necklace with Fly Pendants
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
DateNew Kingdom, about 1539–1077 BCE
Mediumcarnelian and gold
Dimensions58.4 cm (23 in.)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineMrs. Kingsmill Marrs Collection
Object number2001.136
Descriptionstring of carnelian beads and gold fly pendants and spacersLabel TextDuring the early New Kingdom, necklaces with golden flies served as honorific awards for military service, while later in the period the recipients broadened to include meritorious civil servants. Surviving examples typically feature cast or hollow gold flies that were sometimes strung with carnelian beads. It is believed that the award originated in ancient Nubia, where skilled soldiers wore large fly pendants (often in pairs) made of ivory and bronze.ProvenanceFormerly of Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs Collection; bequeathed by Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs to the Worcester Art Museum, 1925–1926 as 1925.412; transformed in 2001 through conservation work.
On View
On viewCurrent Location
- Exhibition Location Gallery 113
