15th Century and Earlier Beaded Necklaces

Pre-Columbian, Northern Colombia, Tairona culture, circa 800 to 1500 CE. A wonderful necklace of wearable form constructed with dozens of hand-carved carnelian beads. Dozens of addit...

This gold and bead necklace, was crafted by a pre-Columbian artisan from the Gran Coclé area of Panama. It represents a rich cultural tradition of adornment, utilizing some of the mo...

This a unique opportunity to buy an extremely rare and strikingly unusual antique necklace, a fine example of Egyptian Revival jewelry composed of 14 genuine ca.1786 -1567 BC ancient Hyksos Egyptian / Middle Eastern Soapstone or Steatite Scarabs assembled /swivel set into solid 18K Yellow Gold frame between ca. 1800s- 1850s somewhere in Europe. All scarabs can be rotated around the axes. Each golden bezel was individually made to fit the specific dimensions of each beetle. The V-lock part and the security chain are made of Silver. The length of the necklace is 37.5 cm / it's a chocker. To make it longer you will need to replace or extend the existing 18K Gold chains for longer ones. Weight of the piece: 51 grams / of which about a half is a weight of 18K Gold metal parts. Condition is fine used / as found - I didn't try to clean it. It seems that the scarabs are covered with tinted beeswax-like substance. All parts are securely set /attached to each- other. Ready to be used again. Most of these or likely all of these beetles date approximately to the period called the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt ca.1650 -1550 BC when Ancient Egypt fell into disarray for a second time, between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the New Kingdom. It is best known as the period when the Hyksos made their appearance in Egypt and whose reign comprised the Fifteenth dynasty. These scarabs are Made of Steatite - a very unusual natural mineral that initially is rather soft ( Mohs hardness 1 ) and easy to carve on but it undergoes transformations when heated to temperatures of 1000–1200 °C turning into Enstatite and Cristobalite; in the Mohs scale, this corresponds to an increase in hardness from initial Mohs hardness 1 > to Mohs hardness level 5.5–6.5 and that makes it a very suitable material for making jewelry like these scarabs. This future of Steatite was known to ancients and they used this material in its initial naturally softer state to carve and shape the way they wanted to and would burn it in the oven when ready making it much harder. The scarabs would often undergo second heating to apply enamels of various colors or were painted with certain long-lasting natural dies - some beetles show reddish glaze or paint still present (note N. 9 and 10) , and two are black colored (N.3 and 11). Once these scarabs were a common form of "charm" which everyone could afford and easily wear strung on a cord on their person. Most scarabs were made for the living, both rich and the poor. The small magical object was believed imbued with particular protective powers that warded off evil and provided good things for the owner for this life and also for the next, particularly when sewn to mummy wrappings. All scarabs in this set are one-of-a-kind genuine ancient pieces. All bottoms are flat and demonstrate the decorations - cartouches typical for Egyptian iconography that demonstrate the extraordinary skills of ancient carvers. N1 : 15mm long,top part grinned off and mounted into the golden lock casing, showing great detailed carving of a goat or an antelope - very common Hyksos design. N2 : 14 mm long, carved design of a hawk and two uraeii /cobras N3 : 13 mm long, two "ankh" hieroglyphics representing life and swirled decor in the center, very typical Hyksos design N4 : 16 mm long, carved design of a Goddess, likely Anubis, and a figure of a Dead in front of him. N5 : 16 mm long, 11 deep-groove concentric circles with remnants of dark-colored enamel still visible, very typical Hyksos design N6 : 18.5 mm long with the body of the scarab nicely carved and engraved with spiral scrolls, a very typical Hyksos design. N7 : 22 mm long, three figures, one knelled N8 : 18 mm long, a figure of a sitting pharaoh N9 : 18 mm long, two "ankh" hieroglyphics representing life with probably the name of a pharaoh in between. N10 : 18 mm long, body of the scarab nicely carved, cross-seal design on the other side. N11 : 16 mm long, black, unknown design N12 : 15 mm long. Very unusual piece I could not find any reference to any similar - there are three small scarabs in the shape of one (Egyptians divided...

An Authentic Greek Silver Hemidrachm Coin from Sikyonia (Sicyon), 360 - 330 BC, set in a 22k Gold Bezel on a 18" Necklace made of Ancient Middle Eastern Glass and Bronze Accent Space...

Authentic ancient Roman bronze ring artifact and 22k yellow gold cross charm pendant on an ombré red / purple / brown tone Spinel and antique...

This perfect for Winter green and blue kyanite necklace will add spice to your Winter wardrobe. The interesting green peridot across the front of this necklace are faceted sparklers...

Stunning 21-Inch Amethyst Cube Necklace Elevate your jewelry collection with this exquisite 21-inch necklace that showcases the enchanting shades of amethyst. Crafted with meticulous...

This striking necklace is made of expertly carved tubular carnelian and red agate stone. Most likely from the Hellenist period or just after, jewellery at this time was worn by both ...

Bactrian culture spread across a wide area of modern-day Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and reached its zenith between 2100 and 1700 B.C. It produced many unique and distinctive objects and jewellery. This Bactrian necklace...

These necklace elements come from Asia minor, a large region covering areas of modern-day Turkey, Iran and east into India. Many important civilisations inhabited this area in antiquity including in the 4th Century B.C when Alexander the Great of Greece conquered the Persians and the regions to the east. Both lapis lazuli and turquoise were highly prized within the region, with some sources showing that their value was greater than gold. These stones were traded among neighbouring regions and civilizations, lapis lazuli mined in ancient Bactria was brought along trade routes to cities of the western...

This stunning necklace dates from the Hellenistic Period. Beginning with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., the era is renowned for its artistic efflorescence. Gold flooded into the Eastern Mediterranean after Alexander’s conquest of Persia, and with an abundance of material to work with, the skill of Hellenistic jewellers reached new heights of refinement and inspiration. This piece likely dates from the Late Hellenistic period, during which jewellers made innovative use of gemstones within elaborate gold settings. This necklace composed of ancient elements, including 10 gold beads with hanging charms, 28 large natural polished garnet beads and a large central gold capped lozenge shaped banded agate. From the Hellenistic period, this necklace may have originated from Greece or as far East as the Bactriana (modern day Northern Afghanistan, including parts of southwestern Tajikistan and southeastern Uzbekistan). This necklace has been restrung and fitted with an 18ct gold S clasp.

Bactrian culture spread across a wide area of modern-day Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and reached its zenith between 2100 and 1700 B.C. It produced many unique and distinctive objects ...

An ancient Hellenistic period necklace from, 3rd-1st Century B.C., South Arabia, possinly Yemen. This remarkable necklace is composed of spherical garnet beads, interspersed alternat...

Ancient Roman bronze key (3rd-4th century AD) and 22k yellow gold pendant on a coral and 18k yellow gold beaded necklace. Necklace is 17 inches in length and finished with an 18k gold lobster clasp. One-of-a-kind pendant necklace has a rich color combination, and features a rare and unique historical...

Authentic ancient stamped Roman glass and authentic ancient Roman bronze key 22k yellow gold dangle pendant on a faceted Garnet beaded necklace with two accent, hammered 22k gold bea...

1970's ancient bead necklace by Patti Cadby Birch. The 22k yellow gold fringe necklace with gold and garnet beads on modern coiled wire-work with gol...

Ancient amulet necklace composed of twenty one well matched graduated banded agate biconical beads measuring 32mm to 17mm and 22 carnelian beads approximately 5mm in diameter. The agates of exceptional figure showing "eye" formations which were used as protective talismans, with natural inclusions, minor abraisions consistent with age, and pitting possibly from use of the mineral content of the stone for medicinal purposes. Modern twist lock. A comparable necklace was sold at Christie's New York Ancient Jewelry...

24K Gold Trojan Inspired Evil Eye Beaded Necklace The Gold accents on the necklace are inspired by Ancient Trojan Era The Eyes are produced from the base mate...

Rare large scale ancient Roman rock crystal and carnelian bead necklace, approximately 2000 years old, composed of twenty five elongated oval rock c...

This striking and rare Pre-Columbian gold necklace was crafted by the Sinu people of Colombia. The figural beads represent coatimundi, a much adored pet in many Pre-Columbian societi...

A remarkable necklace comprised of ancient green glass and yellow gold beads from an archaeological find.

20 String Necklace of Antique Egyptian (2,500 Years Old) Multicolor Faience Beads with Modern Bronze Toggle.

Hand made Coomi Affinity collection necklace set in 20K yellow gold with 398.73cts turquoise, 0.25cts blue sapphire, and 0.95cts diamonds. Necklace measures 18" in length.