Egyptian Faience Beads

New Kingdom, c. 1550–1069 BC, Egypt

This beautiful strand of archaic faience beads embodies the artistry and symbolic depth of ancient Egyptian culture. Beads such as these were widely used in necklaces, ranging from simple strands to elaborate designs incorporating amuletic shapes like uraeus cobras, wedjat-eyes (Eye of Horus), scarabs, and representations of deities like Hathor. Egyptian faience, known as tjehenet, was a groundbreaking material in the ancient world, regarded as the first man-made non-clay ceramic. Examples of faience date back to the Pre-Dynastic period, highlighting its long-standing importance. Faience was crafted from quartz or sand (silica) mixed with alkaline salts, lime, and metallic colorants, often achieving vibrant hues through copper (producing turquoise shades) or cobalt (creating deep blues). The colors of faience were not merely decorative but deeply symbolic. The blue-green tones, reminiscent of turquoise, held magical connotations for the ancient Egyptians. Blue symbolized the sky and the life-giving waters of the Nile, connecting it to themes of the universe, rejuvenation, and rebirth—values integral to Egyptian belief systems.

This re-strung strand of ancient faience beads features a delightful range of hues, from light turquoise and white to pale blue, evoking the beauty and spiritual significance of these treasured ornaments. Once adorning the necks of both commoners and nobility, these beads offer a glimpse into the vibrant material culture of ancient Egypt and the enduring legacy of its craftsmanship.

Good condition. Age-related wear. Minor cracks and abrasion. Length c. 41,6cm with approx. 190 unique beads. Cotton string is modern. Individual bead size varies from 0,2 to 0,4cm. 

Provenance: Dutch private collection

References and further reading:

Egyptian Faiance: Technology and Production, Carolyn Riccardelli, Department of Objects Conservation, December 2017, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ancient Technology: Faiance Beads in the Garstang Museum, Garstang Museum of Archaeology.

Gifts of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Faiance, Friedman, Florence Dunn, Thames and Hudson, London, 1998.