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 was believed by the Egyptians to represent rebirth and immortality and is thought to glimmer with the brilliance of eternity. During the predynastic period only green and blue faience occurred, however from the Old Kingdom onward, other colours such as black, yellow and red were added to the palette.
The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Flask amulets were probably intended to represent the situla, a ritual metal bucket used to carry holy water in sacred activities.
For more information on faience and the significance of amulets, please see our relevant blog posts: What is Egyptian Faience? and Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
