MIDDLE KINGDOM
ca. 1814 BCE

This recreation is part of an ensemble of jewellery found in the tomb of Princess Neferuptah at Harawa. Although this example is clearly a high status item, banded bracelets such as these are commonplace in both Middle Kingdom artwork and grave goods. These two bracelets feature carnelian, amazonite and gold tubular beads, joined using a simple square stitch to create a flexible beaded band finished with sheet metal terminals. No method of securing the bracelets has survived, but based upon similar finds, it seems reasonable to assume that a twisted flax cord would secure the bracelet to the wrist.