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.
Egyptian Necklace with Small Faience Beads
£ 275.00
An ancient Egyptian restrung necklace consisting of polychromatic faience beads. The small disc-shaped faience beads consist of various hues of blue, green, red, brown and white creating a rich tapestry of colours. The necklace is finished with a small gold-plated clasp, restrung on modern thread.
Period: New Kingdom Period
Provenance: Ex Saud al Thani of Qatar collection (known as the Prince collection) 1990s-2014. Ex. Private collection 1970s-1990s.
Condition: Very fine. Signs of wear consistent with age, such as minor chipping and earthly encrustations.
SOLD
| Weight | 2.53 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 45 cm |
| Faience | Black Faience, Blue Faience, Green Faience, Red Faience, Turquoise Faience, White Faience, Yellow Faience |
| Region | North Africa |
Reference: For similar disc beads: The Metropolitan Museum, New York, item 11.215.217
