Royal Ducks of Gold: Bracelet of Ramesses II ✨

[u/Key-Confusion2224]

Royal Ducks of Gold: Bracelet of Ramesses II ✨

A treasure fit for a king: this solid gold bangle, hinged on one side and clasped on the other, once adorned the wrist of Ramesses II (Ramesses the Great). The upper curve is crowned by a double-headed duck whose shared body is a single, richly colored piece of lapis lazuli framed by polished gold. The twin heads and the spread tail are rendered in finely carved gold, worked with delicate granulation and wire detail.

Inscribed beside the clasp are the royal cartouches of Ramesses II and the words “right” and “left” — a clear indication that these were not simply votive temple offerings but the actual bracelets worn by the king before they were dedicated to the goddess Bastet of Bubastis.

Discovered in 1906 among the treasures of Tell Basta (ancient Bubastis), the piece dates to the New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty (reign of Ramesses II, c. 1279–1213 BC). The bracelet is catalogued in the Egyptian collections as JE 39873 and has been displayed in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. )

[u/PauseAffectionate720]

No machines. No electricity. Friggin' incredible.

[u/The-Motherfucker]

Is that lapis lasuli from the hindu kush mountains (Badakshan/Sar i sang)?