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. Faience first appeared at the end of the fifth millennium B.C., enduring for four millennia in the Nile valley. 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. The colours had different symbolisms for example, blue was though to reflect fertility and life. Faience was manufactured into amulets and jeweller; the substance was used to create scarab’s furniture and cups.
Egyptian Polychrome Faience Necklace
£ 165.00
A fine restrung ancient Egyptian necklace featuring a variety of coloured faience beads. The piece begins with long tubular beads consisting of turquoise, green and natural coloured faience. The body of the necklace is comprised of smaller spherical and discoid shaped beads which alternate between blue, turquoise, green, red, black and natural toned faience; creating a wonderful mosaic like impression. The piece is finished with a gold-plated clasp (please be aware the clasp has not been professionally tied).
Half-length: 26.6 cm
Period: Late Period
Provenance: From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK, acquired before 1979, thence by descent 2014
Condition: Very good condition
In stock
| Weight | 7.3 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 26.6 cm |
| Culture | |
| Faience | Black Faience, Blue Faience, Brown Faience, Green Faience, Red Faience, Turquoise Faience |
| Region |
