Usekh Collar of Princess Neferuptah
The Usekh or Wesekh is a personal ornament, a type of broad collar or necklace. It was one of the most common types of Egyptian ornaments. It could be composed of faience beads, flower petals, or gold with semi-precious stone or glass inlays.
Six rows of beads terminate with the head of a golden falcon at each end; these were used as fasteners. Two smaller chains of beads are attached to the falcons, leading to a counterpoise, which also bears the image of a falcon, with further horizontal rows of beads hanging from it. At the bottom of the collar, teardrop shaped pendants can be seen, connected to a row of small golden beads.
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Amenemhat III. ca. 1860-1814 BC. Made of gold, carnelian, feldspar and glass paste. From the small pyramid of Princess Neferuptah at Hawara. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 90199
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