Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna: necklace with pomegranates. New Kingdom: 18th-20th Dynasty (1539-1075 BC).Inventory EG 3103.Detail.The necklace, made of beads configured as pomegranates and rosettes, spherical beads and tubes in carnelian, alternating with tubes and rosettes in gold, has an ovoid bead in the centre between two facing udjat eyes of the god Horus, symbols of integrity.The Egyptians immediately associated the idea of fertility and rebirth with its fruit, rich in juicy seeds, and therefore wearing a necklace like this was propitiatory of a long life, earthly or afterlife. The choice of carnelian, similar in color to the orange-reddish tones of the pomegranate, also reinforced its magical value.
