Two Egyptian penannular hair rings in red jasper; with D-section hoop and opening at one end.
 
Very Fine and complete; the larger one with a stable vertical crack.
Diameter of the larger, 15 mms (0.6 ins).
 
New Kingdom; 18th-19th Dynasty: Circa 1500-1000 BC.
 
Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer. Previously, Bulaq Museum, 1894. Emil Brugsch, Director sold it to Anthony Drexel, Philadelphia who donated it to the Drexel Museum in 1895. Drexel Museum sold it to Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) in 1916. MIA # 16.327 Sold to Louis Blumka, New York, in 1958. His widow sold it to Superior Galleries, LA, in 1975. Dr. Harer bought from Superior in 1976.
 
Published: Gerry D Scott (1992) Temple Tomb and Dwelling; item 21 c and d.
 
Exhibited: LACMA 1986-1991, and periodically at RRFMA Museum California State University San Bernardino from 1996-2024.
 
Such objects, usually made of jasper, are sometimes considered as earrings. However, examples such as these have a cleft, which is too narrow to slip onto the ear and are more clearly understood as either hair rings to weave in the wigs or possibly as token jewellery for the deceased, not intended for wearing.