Queen Cleopatra: Ancient Jewelry of Egypt

Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Egypt. She ruled alongside her brother between 51-30 B.C. after their father's death. Egyptian tradition required Cleopatra to marry her younger brother to keep status of ruler. Over the course of her reign, she was believed to be one of the most powerful female pharaohs in the Egyptian patriarchal society. She engaged in a relationship Julius Caesar and had a son, then with Marc Anthony and bore three children.

To the left is a gold box ring


On the right is a gold bracelet featuring two serpents that symbolizes protection.

Jewelry from the Cleopatra museum exhibit

Blue portrait print of Cleopatra VII

 Resources:

Historical Life of Cleopatra

Early Life of Cleopatra

Women's History: Cleopatra

Ancient Egyptian Jewelry of Nefertiti

Queen Nefertiti was the wife of Egyptian Pharaoh, Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV). She reigned for 12 years with her husband during the 18th dynasty, 14th century B.C. Nefertiti and her husband transferred the religion of Egyptian society from polytheism to monotheism. They crafted a cult that worshiped one god: Aten, the Egyptian Sun God. Researchers believe that this disruption in religious beliefs caused hostility among people in ancient Egyptian society. Nefertiti's death is unknown and not specified in historical records because her mummy (body) was not found in any tombs. However, she is regarded as one of the most powerful female rulers of Egypt.

Gold Ring of Queen Nefertiti and King Akhenaten

 Gold scarab and ring with Nefertiti's name inscribed on it

Egyptian necklace (collar)

Resources:

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Who was Queen Nefertiti?

Life of Queen Nefertiti

Women's History: Ancient Egyptian Jewelry of Queen Hatshepsut - First Female Pharaoh

The first female pharaoh of Egypt was Hatshepsut, who reigned between 1473 - 1458 B. C during the New Kingdom, 18th dynasty. She was the longest running female pharaoh in the Egyptian Empire.

 

Ring with name inscription of Hatshepsut and her nephew, Thutmose III. They reigned together during the early 18th Dynasty, 1472 - 1458 B.C.

 




Scarab Pin

  

  

Above are amulets made of copper, steatite, alabaster and amethyst (crystal known for spirituality and gaining psychic awareness)

This ear artifact is an amulet, similar to a charm or pendant. It was known as a 'hearing ear' because Egyptians believe that their gods and goddesses could ear and reply to their prayers. 

Resources:

Global Egyptian Museum

Queen Hatshepsut

Archive of Queen Hatshepsut

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient Jewelry: King Tut of Ancient Egypt

Antiquity jewelry and ancient earrings from the Egyptian civilization. Jewelry pieces shown below were worn by King Tutankhamun during his reign of power, 1336-1327 BCE. Many gold rings, bangles, bracelets, collars, and earrings were  found in King Tut's tomb. Did you know King Tut only ruled Egypt for 10 years and then died at age 19?

 

Gold Bangle with Lapis Lazuli

Wesekh Collar (necklace)

Gold Ring from King Tut's tomb. Wire Wrapped band with lapis lazuli (blue gemstone) and symbol of the God Horus.

 

Gold and Enamel Earrings  

 

 

 

 

Jewelry found in King Tut's Tomb. Researchers believe that the gemstone (yellow-green) in the middle was made from a comet 28 million years ago. Click to read the article

 

 

 

Below is a collar worn by King Tut. Made of papyrus, olive leaves, persea leaves, berries, and red dyed linen fabric.

Resources:

History of King Tut 

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Ancient Egypt 

Ancient Egypt Timeline

Ancient Greek Jewelry: History of Earrings

Greek Jewelry contains pure gold and gemstones such as garnet, agate, emeralds, and pearls. Hellenistic jewelry includes bangles, bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants and armbands. Handcrafted earrings from Ancient Greece. Craft your own project at home. Get inspired start a project by mimicking earrings from historical times. Teach yourself how to make antiquity jewelry by wire wrapping using gold and silver plated wire.  Why not give it a try?

Gold Earrings of Nike, Greek Goddess of Victory.  

225-175 B.C.

  

Gold and Garnet Dangling Earrings

2nd - 3rd Century B.C.

Large Dangling Gold Earrings with Discs

300 B.C.

Hellenistic Period

 

 

 

Gold Earrings

100 - 50 B.C.

  

          Gold and Garnet Earrings 

4th Century B.C.

 

                   Gold Earrings with Discs                              

                   3rd - 4th Century B.C. 

Pair of Gold Earrings

3rd - 4th Century B.C.

For More Information:

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Wikimedia Commons