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.
Fruit and floral elements in necklaces and amulets were highly prized in the late 18th Dynasty. They were worn for their visual appeal to demonstrate wealth but also because they were believed to protect wearers from evil spirits and natural dangers.
For more information on faience and the significance of amulets, please see our relevant blog posts: What is Egyptian Faience? and Amulet Symbolism