EGYPTIAN GILDED STONE TURTLE SHAPED BEAD Ca. 1550 - 1069 BC A hand-carved hardstone, gilded turtle shell bead with naturalistic features. The uninscribed underside depicts the underside of a turtle shell. Beads like this, depicted animals such as lions, cats, and frogs and held symbolic meanings related to protection, strength, and fertility. These beads were used as personal adornments and burial goods. This reflected the Egyptians' beliefs that these creatures held protective and magical qualities. These artefacts showcased the high level of craftsmanship and the spiritual significance of animals in ancient Egyptian culture. Size: 20mm x 15mm; Weight: 4g Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014, acquired from Derek J. Content, March, 2008. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.