An Exceptional Egyptian lapis scarboid pendant, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11- 12, ca. 2040 - 1786 BCE Medium - Gold A transverse bronze plate intersects

A transverse bronze plate intersects the shafts diagonally

thereafter private NYC collection

8 Petrie 1935

“mossy” inclusions likely added symbolic potency in addition to its visual appeal

An Exceptional Egyptian lapis scarboid pendant, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11- 12, ca. 2040 - 1786 BCE Medium - Gold A transverse bronze plate intersectsFew surviving pieces of Egyptian jewelry combine rarity, beauty, and provenance as compellingly as this exceptional lapis lazuli scaraboid. Carved from a rare, richly colored stone of deep cobalt blue, the scaraboid would originally have served as the centerpiece of an elegant Middle Kingdom swivel ring, one of the most sophisticated forms of personal adornment produced by Egyptian goldsmiths. The cowrie shaped lapis is preserved within its original