Terracotta, 6.91 grams, 50 cm [20 inches]. Circa 30 BC - 300 AD. An ancient Egyptian terracotta bead necklace re-strung and fitted with modern clasp. From the Coptic period, the time following suicide of Queen Cleopatra. This was when Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire, and the Coptic Christian church was formed by St. Mark. Reference: for an overview Thames & Hudson, The History of Beads from 30,000 BC to the Present. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.