AN EGYPTIAN GOLD CHAIN NECKLACE. New-Kingdom, ca.Dynasty 18, 1332-1323 BCE H.(close). 28 cm / 47 gr circa Provenance Formerly with Dr. Jack Ogden, 25.4.86 Published in PharaonenGold, 3000 Jahre altägyptische Hochkuktur, 2019, p.194 The necklace is composed of finely braided gold wires. At each end, it is adorned with two pearl-shaped loops featuring a delicately grooved surface. The transition from the loops to the braided chain is marked by an elongated barrel-shaped bead on both sides, elegantly segmented by two incised grooves, creating the illusion of three seamlessly soldered barrel beads. The fine gold wire used for this braided chain was meticulously drawn: narrow strips of sturdy gold sheet were pulled through increasingly smaller holes in stone plates until the desired thickness was achieved. From this refined gold wire, individual chain links were soldered together and intricately woven into one another. An exact parallel of this chain design, with similar terminal elements, was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It was part of a pendant featuring a small representation of a seated king wearing a blue crown, crafted in gold. This pendant was stored in a box alongside a lock of hair belonging to his grandmother, Queen Tiye. The creation of such a delicate, flexible chain with the simple tools available at the time is a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian goldsmiths, marking this necklace as a true masterpiece of ancient artistry.