gems, Egyptian faience

Made from the sand of the desert but possessing the allure of gold and semiprecious gems, the ceramic today known as Egyptian faience was a versatile and magical material. From late Predynastic to Roman times it was shaped into myriad objects, such as amulets, chalices, beads, jewelry, animal and human figurines, inkwells, dolls, game boards, inlays and tiles, and used by many Egyptians, especially royalty and the court circle. Colorless when it entered the kiln, faience was transformed by firing into the sparkling blue of the Egyptian sky and a wide range of other scintillating colors. More than just a practical and useful material, however, faience was imbued by the ancient Egyptians with great symbolic significance — resplendent with the radiance of celestial light, it was the perfect metaphor for life, rebirth and immortality. Over 200 beautiful faience objects from museums and collections in the United States and Europe have been selected for this, the first interpretative study to present Egyptian faience in a visually exciting way. Illustrated essays by five leading scholars explore the meaning of faience within Egyptian culture, discussing its uses, symbolism and technology. Every object is then reproduced in lavish color, in a dazzling display divided into themes: early uses; royal life; women’s use; daily life and devotion; funerary uses; and materials and technology. This is followed by a detailed description of each piece, a technical glossary, extensive bibliography, maps and a chronological table. Spectacular, charming, impressive and surprising, these small-scale masterpieces in faience glimmer with the brilliance of eternity.