Faience is a glazed ceramic known for producing bright colours, especially blues, turquoises and greens. It is produced from quartz or sand crystals mixed with other compounds, finished with a vitreous alkaline glaze to the surface. Faience glimmers in the light and was believed by the Egyptians to represent rebirth and immortality. During the Predynastic period only green and blue faience occurred. However, from the Old Kingdom onwards alternative colours such as black, yellow and red were added to the palette. It was used to create a wide range of items, from beads and amulets, to bowls and cups. Due to its mass production it was also used frequently to imitate more expensive materials, for example turquoise faience for semi-precious turquoise, green faience for feldspar etc. The idea in doing so meant that apotropaic values associated with a particular colour were still represented by the imitating faience.
Ancient Egyptian Beaded Faience Necklace
£ 225.00
A beautiful ancient Egyptian, restrung necklace, consisting of faience beads in different shapes and colours, dating from the Middle Kingdom period. The necklace is formed from green tubular beads that alternate in different hues and lengths. In between the tubular beads there are small spherical spacer beads in pale green. The necklace is finished with a modern, small silver-plated clasp. Some minor pitting, scratches and discolouration of the beads.
Period: Middle Kingdom Period
Provenance: From a collection of beads discovered by Flinders Petrie at Gurob
Condition: Very Fine. Some minor pitting, scratches and discolouration of the beads.
SOLD
| Weight | 16.2 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 33.8 cm |
| Faience | Green Faience, White Faience |
| Region | North Africa |
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 15.3.470
