1650 bc cats

From Egypt, not surprisingly. The Eternal Egypt exhibition at Chicago's Field Museum included a pair of bracelet spacer bars, meant to hold beaded jewelry secure. As it happens, these spacer bars are the earliest known appearance of cats on jewelry (see the date in the title!). The bracelet belonged to a queen, and I like to think of her taking a moment from the burdens of ruling to smile at this set of six wacky, lounging felines. You will too.