Head Ornament (2600-2500 BC), with a double string of beads and gold leaf-shaped pendants, from Ur (modern-day Iraq).

This head ornament features gold leaf-shaped pendants on a string of lapis lazuli and carnelian beads.

In ancient Mesopotamian, lapis lazuli was highly prized and expensive because of its brilliant blue colour, and because it had to be transported from far away.

British Museum

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