A mid-nineteenth century Egyptian Revival collar, crafted in gilt metal and comprised of geometric articulating links set with alternating blue and red paste accents, with hook and eye clasp, length 16.5 in, width 0.75 in, circa 1870

Interest in all things Egyptian peaked in the early nineteenth century followed by the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799 by French officer Pierre-François Bouchard during the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt. Its translation in 1822, resulted in a further revival as hieroglyphics of these ancient civilizations became accessible to modern people for the first time. These archaeological discoveries rapidly made their appearance in jewelry and fashion of the era, with a revival of styles thought to be representative of Egyptian society. Geometric styles heavily wrought in gold and worn as thick collars became fashionable, and the scarab motif increased in popularity. The opening of the Suez canal in 1869 and further archaeological discoveries of the era caused another resurgence of Egyptian Revival jewelry during the 1870s. This fascination with the ancient world and its impact on fashion of the modern world continued well into the 1930s with the discovery and excavation of Tutankhamen's tomb.