Group of five Egyptian Red Glass Penannular Earrings and Hair Rings, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, 1550-1295 BCE

A rare and cohesive assemblage of five penannular ornaments, each formed from thick red glass canes that have been carefully bent into a distinctive C-shape. The group is graduated in size, ranging from 3/8 to 3/4 inches in diameter, with three smaller examples and two larger. The glass is of a deep, saturated red hue, deliberately chosen to imitate red jasper, a material highly prized in the New Kingdom for both its aesthetic appeal and symbolic associations.

The larger ornaments were likely designed to be clipped directly onto the earlobe, while the smaller examples were woven into the hair. This configuration is consistent with elite cosmetic practices documented in 18th Dynasty tomb paintings, in which hair and earlobe adornments formed an integral part of ritualized grooming and display. These ornaments exemplify the intersection of beauty, identity, and protective symbolism in the personal attire of the New Kingdom.

Red glass was among the most technically demanding and materially valuable types of ancient Egyptian glass. Achieving a consistent red tone required precise temperature control and the addition of copper-based colorants, making its production complex and costly. During the New Kingdom, such glass was regarded as a luxury material, at times valued more highly than semi-precious stones such as carnelian or jasper. This set would have belonged to an individual of considerable status.

Comparanda: For closely related examples, see Egypt’s Golden Age: The Art of Living in the New Kingdom, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1982, nos. 290–292, pp. 228–229.

Medium: Glass 

Dimensions: Diameter ranges from 3/8 in. (0.95 cm) to 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

Condition: Intact and in excellent preservation. Minor chips and surface wear that does not detract.

Provenance: Private NY collection, acquired prior to 1980.

QUESTIONS? Just click the Contact Us tab on your right.