The Sbyw Collar of the Deities, Kings, and Queens in Ancient Egypt: A Question of Significance

The Sbyw collar is a unique type of necklace which was widely used during the New Kingdom. The collar consists of one or multiple rows of circular beads joined by a central clasp. This type of jewelry was often made entirely out of gold, however there are examples of collars incorporating faience and glass such as the one discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun. This collar was a type of token of royal favor traditionally awarded to distinguished high officials in the ‘Gold of Honor’ ceremony. The Sbyw collar has not yet been studied in all its aspects. The most extensive previous study by S. Binder concentrated only on the usage of the collar as a royal reward for private individuals, which is beyond the scope of the present research.

Archaeological and iconographic evidence indicates that the collar was used by the deities and kings. Not only was the Sbyw collar used to decorate the aegis of sacred barks, but it was also worn by deities such as Osiris and Amun. Tuthmosis IV was one of earliest kings shown wearing the Sbyw collar on a relief from Giza. Additionally, in the tomb of Kheruef, Queen Tiy together with her husband King Amenhotep III were both depicted wearing the Sbyw. Thus, this research will endeavor to survey the archaeological and iconographic evidence of the Sbyw collar in royal and divine spheres. Moreover, the research aims at revealing the significance of the usage of these collars by the deities, kings, and queens.