5000 YEAR OLD EGYPTIAN BEAD ANTIQUE ANCIENT . .

This is a large circular bead from ancient Egypt dating to the predynastic period, before 3200 BC. It is 21.3mm outside diameter and 11.5mm inside. It is made from a natural conus shell, polished on stones to a circular form. See Collectible Beads by Liu, page 102, top left for another example from this group which he describes as a quoit bead. We acquired the remains of a necklace of them at Christies, London, in 1983 and other than the one shown in Collectible Beads, haven’t seen another example. It was preserved in a burial until the Victorian period when it was excavated and brought back to England. It is a fine addition to any antiquities collection. Condition is as shown.