Antique Egyptian Silver Ankh Pendant Necklace, Keneh Assay Mark, Snake Chain, Early-Mid 20th Century, Egyptian Revival

Upper Egypt. The Keneh assay mark. A symbol that has been in continuous use for three thousand years.

The ankh, the Egyptian hieroglyph for life, was one of the most potent symbols in the ancient world and has never really gone out of circulation since. This pendant was made in Egypt and passed through the Keneh assay office, the regional assay authority for Upper Egypt, which hallmarked silver produced and sold in that area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Keneh mark is not widely known outside specialist collecting circles, but to those who recognise it, it is an immediate signal of provenance: this piece was made in Egypt, marked in Egypt, and is the genuine article.

The form is bold and direct. A substantial cast silver ankh with a teardrop loop integrated into the top of the form, wide horizontal arms, and a long vertical shaft tapering slightly toward the base. The surface carries beautiful age patina with natural pitting and wear consistent with genuine age, none of the uniform brightness of a modern reproduction. The piece was almost certainly made during or after the great wave of Western interest in Egyptian symbolism that followed the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, when ankh pieces became enormously sought after by visitors to Egypt returning home with something real.

The pendant is strung on a fine sterling silver snake chain with a spring ring clasp. The chain appears to be a later addition to the pendant, a common and entirely acceptable pairing for a piece of this age.

The Particulars:

• Type: Pendant necklace
• Motif: Ankh, Egyptian symbol of life
• Pendant metal: Silver, Keneh assay mark present, no additional hallmarks
• Chain metal: Sterling silver snake chain with spring ring clasp
• Chain note: Appears to be a later addition to the pendant
• Assay: Keneh assay office, Upper Egypt
• Era: Early to mid 20th century, Egyptian Revival period
• Condition: Age patina and surface wear throughout, consistent with period. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.

A symbol older than most recorded history, in silver, with a provenance mark that most people will never recognise. The ones who do will know immediately what they are looking at.

Arrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.