This ancient beaded collar necklace dated anywhere from 1380-1350 BC shows the absolute mastery the ancient Egyptians had for the making of beads and for this style of spaced beading.
The Egyptians invented faience beads made out of quartz silica - arguably the earliest form of glass-like beads. They simulated the more expensive gemstones. The beads in this design, from top to bottom, show mandrake fruit, date palm leaves and lotus flower petals. The spacing of these beads occurs in two dimensions. They were first spaced from each other in an upright fashion and then, the different types of beads were tiered. The original triangular connectors separating the strands have also survived although not without damage.
References
Hugh Tait (1986). Jewelry : 7000 Years. British Museum
Egyptian Faience by Marie Parsons
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