Egyptian Jewelry
>> Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Egyptian Jewelry was not just for adornment. It had other religious and magical purpose like scarab for rebirth and renewal and the ankh amulet as a symbol of eternal life. Pharaoh was the metal of choice-thought to be the flesh of the sun-god Ra and eternal. While Silver was considered to be a form of white Gold - thought to be the goddess of the moon. It was studed with stones, such as lapiz, turquoise, and carnelian. One of the popular Cartouche, a name plate for ancient Egyptian kings and queens ,is available generally with sterling silver.
Cartouche
It is basically a loop of rope with a knot at one end. It was thought to represent the universe. The custom of writing the Pharaoh's name inside the Cartouche represented his rule over the universe.
This small fish charm shows some of the detail which the Egyptian craftsmen could include in their work. This piece is amazing because it is only about 3cm in length.
It is thought that this object was possibly a child's charm providing protection against drowning.
These rings are a typical example of Egyptian gold work. They are significant because they were found in a small cache outside Akhenaten's Royal Tomb at El-Amarna. One of these rings bears the cartouche of Queen Nefertiti. It is possible that this ring was once owned by that most famous Queen.
Amongst the articles found in the royal tomb at Amarna was this incredibly intricate gold ear plug. Again the high standard of gold work is clearly shown.
Egyptians Bracelets and bangles
The Egyptians used menefret (mnfrt), for bracelets and anklets but by adding the words 'for the arms' - net awy (nt'wy) - they were able to distinguish quite clearly the working of these ornaments, which often came in matching sets.
The earliest bracelets are in some ways little more than shorter versions of the strings worn around the neck. The finest examples - four in all were found on a wrapped arm in the tomb of Djer at Abydos. The one nearest the wrist consists of lapis lazuli and hollow gold balls, flanking irregularly shaped turquoise beads and gold triple ring-bead spacers, with a single hollow gold rosette at the centre.
Cartouche
It is basically a loop of rope with a knot at one end. It was thought to represent the universe. The custom of writing the Pharaoh's name inside the Cartouche represented his rule over the universe.
This small fish charm shows some of the detail which the Egyptian craftsmen could include in their work. This piece is amazing because it is only about 3cm in length.It is thought that this object was possibly a child's charm providing protection against drowning.
These rings are a typical example of Egyptian gold work. They are significant because they were found in a small cache outside Akhenaten's Royal Tomb at El-Amarna. One of these rings bears the cartouche of Queen Nefertiti. It is possible that this ring was once owned by that most famous Queen.Amongst the articles found in the royal tomb at Amarna was this incredibly intricate gold ear plug. Again the high standard of gold work is clearly shown.Egyptians Bracelets and bangles
The Egyptians used menefret (mnfrt), for bracelets and anklets but by adding the words 'for the arms' - net awy (nt'wy) - they were able to distinguish quite clearly the working of these ornaments, which often came in matching sets.
The earliest bracelets are in some ways little more than shorter versions of the strings worn around the neck. The finest examples - four in all were found on a wrapped arm in the tomb of Djer at Abydos. The one nearest the wrist consists of lapis lazuli and hollow gold balls, flanking irregularly shaped turquoise beads and gold triple ring-bead spacers, with a single hollow gold rosette at the centre.
