Gorgeous ~ Vintage ~ Art deco style /Egyptian revival ~ Faience beads ~ bib necklace circa 1970's
materials :
gold tone metal ( looks like brass )
Faience / clay beads
A very intricatly made necklace

Faience beads were a popular form of jewelry and decoration in ancient Egypt, made from a self-glazing ceramic material composed of ground quartz or sand, alkali, lime, and a colorant. These beads, often vibrant blue or green, were widely used in jewelry, amulets, and even for decorating furniture and wall tiles. The Egyptians prized faience for its vibrant colors and believed it symbolized rebirth and immortality.
Here's a more detailed look at faience beads in ancient Egypt:
Composition and Manufacturing:
Faience was not a clay-based ceramic. It was made by combining ground quartz or sand with alkali (like natron) and lime, then adding a colorant. The mixture was shaped and fired, causing the glaze to form on the surface.
Colors and Symbolism:
Blue and green were the most common colors, associated with fertility, life, and the sun. Over time, other colors like black, white, purple, yellow, and red were also used, each with its own symbolism.
Uses:
Faience was used for a wide variety of objects, including beads, amulets, scarabs, ushabtis (funerary figurines), jewelry, cups, bowls, and even wall tiles. Faience beads were particularly popular for jewelry and were traded across long distances.
Significance:
Faience beads were not just decorative; they were also considered magical and symbolic, linked to rebirth and the afterlife. They were worn by all social classes and were sometimes used to imitate more expensive materials like gemstones.
Techniques:


Show all