IMPORTANT! Due to new custom regulations we can no longer ship outside the E.U. Please make sure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. - Strung on modern wire with Gold Filled Silver Lobsterlock(925). - Total length: 17.5 cm. Average bead size: 2-4 mm. - Beginning in prehistoric times, shells were used for adornment and seem to have been fertility symbols. Cowrie-shell girdles are often seen in Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom art around the hips of nude female figurines. - See last picture as a parallel: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/545533 - Turquoise was very closely associated with the Goddess of Joy and Fertility, Hathor, who was one of the most important divinities in Ancient Egypt. Registered shipping. Provenance/Known History: Ancient Egyptian Turquoise beads: Ex. Private UK collection. Collected before 1970. After that J.T.O., The Netherlands. Ancient Egyptian Faience Mummy beads: Ex. Private A.B collection, UK. Collected in the 1930's. After that A&O Gallery. Ancient Egyptian Faience Cowrie Shell amulet: Ex. Private UK collection. Collected before 1970. After that A.A. Gallery, UK. Important information: - A declaration of authenticity by my shop is provided with this lot. - Please do not pay for a won item before you are finished bidding in the auction. The system will not be able to combine your orders into one shipping if all items aren't paid at once.