Ancient Beadwork

Armlets & bracelets

 

 

A separate category of objects is beaded armlets and beaded bracelets. Many different bracelets and armlets are worn in pharaonic Egypt. Armlets are worn around the upper arm of a person; bracelets are worn around the wrist of the owner. Some of the bracelets and armlets found in for instance the tomb of Tutankhamun are made partially with beads. Some of these items are visible on the Griffith Institute website.

 

What makes the painted image on the left special is the fact that the woman named Merit, is seen wearing a beaded armlet. The painting is from the tomb of Kha, dating to the reign of Amenhotep II (18th Dynasty, Deir el-Medina, Theban Tomb 8). In this particular case, the artist has made an effort to show the individual beads, especially in the center of the armlet. Around the edges the lines of beads are shown consisting of a similar color. This kind of jewelry, a tight fitting band, is also worn around the wrist as can be seen on the image to the left as well. 

 

Another type of bracelet worn by the woman Merit is a round bracelet worn loosely on the higher lower arm. This type of bracelet is also seen on the lower image. This bracelet dates to the 18th Dynasty as well, to the reign of Thutmose I–early sole Thutmose III (ca. 1504–1447 BC) and is now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the exact beading technique needs more research, it seems that the bracelet was made from a tightly beaded strip. This strip is then wound and sewed to form a tube, which was then curved to form a bracelet.