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 and onwards alternative colours such as black, yellow and red were added to the palette. The colours had different symbolisms for example, blue was thought to reflect fertility and life. Faience was manufactured into amulets and jewellery, the substance was used to create scarabs, furniture and cups.
Jasper has been revered by ancient peoples and civilisations throughout the world as sacred and powerful stones of protection, for both the physical and spiritual realm. In Ancient Egypt, red jasper was linked to fertility, as it was named the fertilising blood of Mother Isis; legend states it was used to drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. Many amulets made from jasper were found in Egypt with inscriptions to protect the wearer from death.
Some form of jewellery was worn by all social classes in Ancient Egypt, and by both men and women. It commonly displayed a beautiful spectrum of colours, and incorporated a variety of media, from wood and wax to gold and rich gemstones. Those of a lower status often attempted to emulate the lavish jewellery of the elite by using faience instead of gemstones.
To find out more about the use of faience in Ancient Egyptian culture, please see our relevant blog post: What is Egyptian Faience?
To find out more about the use of jasper in Ancient Egypt, please see our relevant blog post: The History and Mythology of Gemstones in Ancient Jewellery.
