Egyptian Faience Bead Necklace

New Kingdom Period to Late Period, c. 1070–600 BC, Egypt

A magnificent ancient Egyptian necklace, restrung for preservation, composed of faience beads arranged in a striking interplay of shapes and colors. The main strand is formed of long turquoise tubular beads, interspaced with smaller disc-shaped spacers in red, black, blue, brown, and white, creating a rhythmic balance of form and hue that reflects the refined artistry of Egyptian jewelry-making.

Faience—a glazed non-clay ceramic made from crushed quartz or sand coated with a vitreous alkaline glaze—was one of the most iconic and enduring materials of Egyptian craftsmanship. Its luminous shades of turquoise, green, and blue symbolized fertility, renewal, and eternal life, while the broader palette, introduced from the Old Kingdom onward, allowed artisans to incorporate deeper symbolic complexity into their designs.

More than mere ornament, jewelry of this kind carried profound spiritual significance. Faience beads were believed to embody rebirth and immortality, serving as protective amulets both in life and in the afterlife. Their shimmering colors also imitated highly prized stones such as turquoise and lapis lazuli, ensuring that beauty and symbolism went hand in hand.

For over four millennia, faience adorned not only necklaces and amulets but also scarabs, ushabtis, vessels, and architectural tiles that decorated temples and tombs. This necklace, originating from Naukratis—an important Egyptian-Greek trading hub—stands as a rare survival, a testament to the timeless skill of Egyptian artisans and the symbolic power of their creations.

A superb piece of ancient jewelry, full of historical resonance and enduring charm.

Good condition overall. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age; nicks, chips, and attractive patina. Some discolouration and minor earthly encrustations. Length approx. 85,0 cm.

Provenance: Dutch private collection. Acquired in the 1960s.

For a similar examples see:

Necklace, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 15.3.470 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/557476)

Bead, The British Museum, Accession Number: EA87240 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA87240)

Bead Necklace with a Heart Amulet Pendant, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Accession Number: 51.1032 (https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/18889/)

References and further reading:

Gifts of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Faience, Florence Dunn Friedman (ed.), London: Thames and Hudson, 1998

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.

Ancient Egyptian Faience: An Analytical Survey of Egyptian Faience from Predynastic to Roman Times, Alexander Kaczmarczyk & Robert E. M. Hedges, Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 1983.