{"product_id":"l-ankh-18ct-gold-pendant","title":"L’Ankh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA handmade, one-of-one Ankh pendant in 18ct yellow gold.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine openwork runs through the loop, arms and stem. A bird-like figure occupies the upper loop, while smaller forms resemble reeds or papyrus. These details give the pendant a personal workshop character; they are described carefully because no maker’s key or inscription confirms their intended reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMeaning of the Ankh\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn ancient Egyptian writing, the Ankh represented \u003cstrong\u003eꜥnḫ, “life” or “to live”\u003c\/strong\u003e. It became one of Egypt’s most recognisable signs of life and vitality. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.britishmuseum.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-05\/Ancient-Egypt-Symbols-Visit-Resource-Ages-7-11.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eBritish Museum’s guide to Egyptian symbols\u003c\/a\u003e explains its use as both a hieroglyph and a symbol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to read this particular pendant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration is Egyptian-inspired, but it is not a complete hieroglyphic inscription. Egyptian signs could record sounds, ideas or categories, and a shape cannot be translated reliably without context. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ucl.ac.uk\/museums-static\/digitalegypt\/writing\/system.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eUCL’s overview of hieroglyphic writing\u003c\/a\u003e explains that system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper figure is best described as \u003cstrong\u003ebird-like\u003c\/strong\u003e. If the maker intended a falcon, it may recall Horus, a god associated with the sky and kingship. The lower forms may evoke \u003cstrong\u003ereeds or papyrus\u003c\/strong\u003e, plants closely tied to the Nile landscape. These are informed readings, not certified translations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHandmade character and probable provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pendant is \u003cstrong\u003ehandmade\u003c\/strong\u003e. The individually formed openings, fine wirework and slight variations show hand production rather than a perfectly uniform machine finish. Its sourcing history points to \u003cstrong\u003eColombia as the probable place of manufacture or acquisition\u003c\/strong\u003e. No hallmark, maker’s mark or document identifies the workshop, date or country conclusively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe symbol is Egyptian; the modern jewel is probably Colombian.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is not presented as an ancient Egyptian artefact. This distinction preserves both its cultural reference and its honest provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGold and collectability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn XRF surface reading is consistent with \u003cstrong\u003e18ct yellow gold\u003c\/strong\u003e. At 4.20g gross weight, the nominal 75% fineness gives a theoretical fine-gold equivalent of about \u003cstrong\u003e3.15g\u003c\/strong\u003e, before allowing for solder or other non-gold components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe asking price is \u003cstrong\u003eAUD 1,795\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its value reflects the gold, handmade openwork, unusual imagery and one-of-one availability rather than bullion alone. Future value is not guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Available, one piece only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handmade; workshop unknown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProbable origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colombia; not documented\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign reference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ancient Egyptian Ankh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow gold; XRF surface reading consistent with 18ct\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHallmark:\u003c\/strong\u003e No hallmark visible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.20g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pre-owned, with light surface wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003ePendant only. The styled chain is not included. The photographs show the exact piece offered.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Les Trésors de Victoire","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52862580719928,"sku":"ANKH-18CT-420G-001","price":1795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1008\/1409\/4648\/files\/l-ankh-18ct-gold-pendant-front-v-stamp.png?v=1787826805","url":"https:\/\/lestresorsdevictoire.com\/products\/l-ankh-18ct-gold-pendant","provider":"Les Tresors de Victoire","version":"1.0","type":"link"}