Thutmose III Cartouche Hinged Cuff

Description

A pair of hinged cuff bracelets (New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, ca. 1479–1425 B.C.) in the Museum’s collection came from the tomb of the three foreign wives of Thutmose III. Made of burnished gold inlaid with carnelian and glass, the bracelets’ inner surfaces are inscribed with the cartouches and epithets of the pharaoh; when worn, the king’s name was close to the woman’s skin. Like the originals, our sophisticated adaptation features the pharaoh’s cartouche on the inner surface.

24K gold overlay, hand enameled. 2 3/4''W; inner circumference: 7 1/4''.

Art History

Scenes depicted in reliefs and paintings on tomb walls illustrate how jewelry was made and worn in ancient Egypt. Pendants, necklaces, earrings, diadems, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and hair ornaments not only beautified the wearer, but often also provided protection through amuletic forms in the designs. Finely worked pieces of jewelry were placed in the tombs of the royal family and high-ranking officials.