Necklace with Barrel Beads and Cylinder Beads

The Middle Kingdom beads seen here were restrung to create this necklace based on parallels with other Middle Kingdom necklaces that have been preserved in their original configuration. Most beaded objects from ancient Egypt have been reconstructed because the more fragile materials (plant matter, textiles, or in some cases wire) used to string the beads often deteriorate before the beads themselves. In this necklace we find carnelian beads separated by faience cylinder beads and it is likely that these two media were mixed to create a pleasing decorative contrast between orange and green or, alternately, to create a necklace that demanded fewer of the expensive carnelian beads.