Selection of Egyptian Green Faience Leaf Amulets

A selection of two Ancient Egyptian amulets fashioned from green faience in the form of leaves. Amulet A presents a tapering, lanceolate shape, and features delicate, linear engraving mirroring the veins of leaves. A white faience attachment loop features at the base, and an identical loop would have featured at the top, now missing. Amulet B presents a triangular shape, tapering from a flat top to a pointed base. An attachment loop of blue faience features at either end. The reverse of both amulets is smooth and unadorned. The green pigment is well preserved, and minor wear and earthy encrustations feature to the surface, consistent with the items’ age.

PRICED INDIVIDUALLY

Date: Circa 1550-1070 BC
Period: New Kingdom Period
Condition: Very fine. Amulet A is missing a loop. Minor wear and earthy encrustations to both pieces.

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SKU: KW-172 Category: Tag:

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 and can be cast into moulds to create beads or amulets like these ones. Faience gimmers in the light and was believed by the Egyptians to represent rebirth and immortality. The colours had different symbolisms for example, blue was thought to reflect fertility and life. However, faience was not just manufactured into amulets and jewellery, the substance was used to create scarabs, furniture and cups.

For the Egyptians, the colour green was symbolic of new life. Olivine and feldspar were precious stones used for expensive amulets, as their vivid colourations imbued both the amulet and the wearer with apotropaic properties. Faience, with its bright green and blue hues, was often used as a more affordable alternative.

Culture

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Faience

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Reference: For a similar item to Amulet A,The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 11.215.346and for a similar item to Amulet B,The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 11.215.358

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