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 to semi-precious turquoise. The idea in doing so meant that apotropaic values associated with a particular colour were still represented by the imitating faience.
Egyptian Necklace with Faience and Crystal beads
£ 1,500.00
A beautiful, long, ancient Egyptian necklace, consisting of small flattened disc-shaped faience beads restrung onto a wire. The faience discs gradually increase in size towards the centre and are interspersed with groups of three and two (closer to the ends) round translucent cream crystal beads, possibly quartz or chalcedony. The necklace is finished with a silver clasp.
Period: Middle Kingdom–Early New Kingdom
Condition: Excellent condition. The beads have been restrung. Faience beads retain their vivid colour. Crystal beads display some cracks, chips, and earthy encrustations.
| Weight | 17.86 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 59 cm |
| Faience | Blue Faience |
| Region | North Africa |
| Semi-Precious Stone | Chalcedony, Crystal |
Reference: For a similar necklace: Brooklyn Museum, item 26.160 For similar beads: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 22.1.1249
