Necklace in the shape of lily papyrus

Necklace with beads in the shape of lily papyrus or semicircular papyrus. Both types of beads, of Minoan inspiration, are often found in Aegean jewellery in schematized form. Especially the larger ones in the shape of lily papyrus–with the flower of the papyrus rising above the top of the lily–render a hybrid flower belonging to an imaginary flora used not only for decoration but also for quite specific religious reasons. From the «Treasure of Thera». Late Helladic IIB-IIA period (1450-1300 BC).