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 22.9mm outside diameter and 12.3mm 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.  33B9