Jewelry was worn by ancient Egyptian men and women. Ancient Egyptian jewelry made abundant use of different metals, minerals and a variety of stones in an amazing range of colors. Lapiz lazuli found special place in most Egyptian jewelry items. Other materials that were used in ancient Egyptian jewelry were amethyst, feldspar, turquoise, garnet and opal. Rings made of horn or stone were common before the discovery of metals. Gold, silver and copper were the metals that were used by ancient Egyptian jewelry craftsmen. Take a look at contemporary Egyptian jewelry. You might find something interesting to add to your jewelry box.
Ancient Egyptian jewelry
There are many examples of fine ancient Egyptian jewelry. Bracelets belonging to early Egyptian queens, necklaces, earrings and rings worn as early as 2500 BC in the Suzerain civilization give you a glimpse into jewelry that was worn in times gone by. Waist belts attached to the navel were also not uncommon. King Tut's tomb revealed fascinating ancient Egyptian jewelry. Bracelets and bangles were made in matching sets.
Amulets and finger rings made of stone and gold-foil bands were popular. Pectorals in the shape of trapezoids were worn across the chest. Ancient Egyptian jewelry also included gold-plated vests. Scarab rings made with gold-foil bands and small string of beads were extremely popular. Scarabs were a sign of rebirth. Such jewelry was therefore buried with the dead to assure rebirth.
Skilled Egyptian craftsmen created fine jewelry pieces to bedeck living people and mummies alike. Since Egyptian customs dictated that the corpse must be adorned with jewelry created especially for it, amulets and rings, necklaces laced with semi-precious stones were made with gold and other lesser metals. The colors for the stones held special significance and symbolism. While red stones symbolized energy and power, dark blue of the lapis lazuli was all-embracing.
The Egyptian name for turquoise 'mefkat' is indicative of its symbolism as a harbinger of joy. Wreaths, crowns or hair bands were made for mummies. With access to several precious metals and knowledge of welding and soldering, fine jewelry was crafted by Egyptian jewelers by combining layers of gold plates with colored stones. Cloisonne and filigree techniques were also used. Sheets of beaten gold inlaid with semi-precious stones made for exquisite vests. Tiny gold balls were created by granulation and used in different jewelry pieces. Beads held their own special symbolism in ancient Egyptian jewelry. The jewelry derived additional texture and color with faience and glass.
Contemporary Egyptian jewelry
Today modern Egyptian and Bedouin jewelry patterns are a blend of ancient designs with a more contemporary look. Cartouche jewelry is one such popular Egyptian jewelry style. You can get a Cartouche ring personalized with your name or ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Cartouche is an elliptical symbol that is used as a pendant. The 'Head of Nefitari' pendants find favor with many tourists looking for Egyptian jewelry. Fine reproductions of ancient artifact jewelry are also available. You can pick up modern Egyptian jewelry for anywhere in the range of $10 - $250.
The Ka bracelet, with its characteristic lotus flower is a popular piece of modern Egyptian jewelry. Inlaid with turquoise, onyx and lapis lazuli, this item of contemporary Egyptian jewelry finds favor with many. You can select a large-winged sacred Scarab pendant studded with Swarovski crystals and turquoise. Cleopatra pendant makes for a perfect blend of the modern and the ancient.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
Showing posts with label History of Egyptian Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History of Egyptian Jewelry. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
The history of Egyptian jewelry is as old as 5000 BC. Starting with materials like bones, stones and woods to serve religious and spiritual interests. The most common symbol of that era is "Ankh"that exists till now. Other symbols like the Lotus flower, the Eye of horus, the Scarab and the falcons were also used to describe emotions of that period.
In the middle kingdom, there was a shift in the Egyptian jewelry designing. Now, gold was included in making jewelries for pharaohs, They also included semi-precious materials for carving jewelries, jewelry made in gold such as "Earrings, Rings, vest, Necklaces, cartouches and crowns were found in toombs.
Now, you can add an Egyptian jewelry piece "Scarab,, ankh, Eye of horus, cartouche jewelry or a lotus flower" to your collection. ranging from ancient style to modern design beautifully.
Our exquisite line of Egyptian silver jewelry All hand-crafted in Egypt by our own skilled craftsmen. Including Cartouches, Ankhs, Scarabs, Lotus flower, Eye of horus, Nefertiti, King Tut, Cleopatra, Anubis, Toth, Isis and Osiris pendants, rings and earrings.
Egyptian jewelry as enchanted man kind since if was first made. Egyptian bracelets and Egyptian necklaces are still in fashion despite there styles being thousands of years old. Egyptian jewelry has stood the test of time, handcrafted silver and gold jewelry is still made using age old techniques. The most popular jewelry uses the Egyptian ankh, Egyptian cartouche and the mysterious Egyptian scarabs. Ancient Egyptian Fashion was just not the domain of Kings and Queens even the poorest people would have some items that they cherished and wore on special occasions, because of this goldsmiths were very busy and held in high regard in the community for there ability to produce the finest gold and silver jewelry of there time.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
In the middle kingdom, there was a shift in the Egyptian jewelry designing. Now, gold was included in making jewelries for pharaohs, They also included semi-precious materials for carving jewelries, jewelry made in gold such as "Earrings, Rings, vest, Necklaces, cartouches and crowns were found in toombs.
Now, you can add an Egyptian jewelry piece "Scarab,, ankh, Eye of horus, cartouche jewelry or a lotus flower" to your collection. ranging from ancient style to modern design beautifully.
Our exquisite line of Egyptian silver jewelry All hand-crafted in Egypt by our own skilled craftsmen. Including Cartouches, Ankhs, Scarabs, Lotus flower, Eye of horus, Nefertiti, King Tut, Cleopatra, Anubis, Toth, Isis and Osiris pendants, rings and earrings.
Egyptian jewelry as enchanted man kind since if was first made. Egyptian bracelets and Egyptian necklaces are still in fashion despite there styles being thousands of years old. Egyptian jewelry has stood the test of time, handcrafted silver and gold jewelry is still made using age old techniques. The most popular jewelry uses the Egyptian ankh, Egyptian cartouche and the mysterious Egyptian scarabs. Ancient Egyptian Fashion was just not the domain of Kings and Queens even the poorest people would have some items that they cherished and wore on special occasions, because of this goldsmiths were very busy and held in high regard in the community for there ability to produce the finest gold and silver jewelry of there time.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
Jewelry has played various roles in ancient Egypt. In addition to man's natural attraction to beautiful items, jewelry had a religious and magical significance in the Egyptian ancient world by protecting the wearer from evil.
Ancient Egyptians began making their jewelry during the Badari and Naqada eras from simple natural materials; for example, plant branches, shells, beads, solid stones or bones. These were arranged in threads of flax or cow hair. To give these stones some brilliance, Egyptians began painting them with glass substances. Since the era of the First Dynasty, ancient Egyptians were skilled in making jewelry from solid semiprecious stones and different metals such as gold and silver. The art of goldsmithing reached its peak in the Middle Kingdom, when Egyptians mastered the technical methods and accuracy in making pieces of jewelry. During the New Kingdom, goldsmithing flourished in an unprecedented way because of regular missions to the Eastern Desert and Nubia to extract metals. These substances were processed and inlaid with all sorts of semiprecious stones found in Egypt; for example, gold, turquoise, agate, and silver.
Jewelry was used in daily life throughout the Pharaonic era until the Roman times. Egyptians were keen to keep a good number of jewelry pieces in the tomb; these were placed on the body of the deceased. A large number of such jewelry was found in tombs; for example, wreaths, crowns, or hair bands. On the head or wig, they fixed different types of ornaments, such as small roses, golden bands, and some simple bands of jewelry. There were also different types of belts, including waist belts and belts with hanging vertical straps ornamented with colored beads. Other types of jewelry included earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings, and necklaces.
A unique type of jewelry that never appeared in other cultures was the vest, which was worn around the chest. It was usually made of gold or of gold-plated metal. Even when it was made of a cheap material, it was painted yellow to give a golden impression. Wearing a golden vest is still an existing folklore practice in the Egyptian countryside, though it has a different name, the Kirdan. Every village girl dreams of wearing a golden one to boast of.
Ornaments and jewelry were not restricted to women. Men also used jewelry until the Roman era in Egypt. However, since the advent of Christianity in Egypt, with many people converting to that new religion, ornaments and extravagant luxury began to be less common and were replaced by manifestations of piety, religiousness, and righteousness. Most jewelry was made of cheaper materials bearing Christian symbols, such as crosses, pigeons, and the Egyptian Ankh sign, instead of the amulets that were used before. After the arrival of Islam in Egypt, men in particular were prohibited from wearing gold jewelry, but continued to use jewelry made of other materials, such as silver.
Several different types of sticks were found that were used for ceremonial staffs, scepters, flyswatters, hooked staffs, and walking sticks. They were usually made of wood and sometimes gold plated and inlaid with precious stones.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
Ancient Egyptians began making their jewelry during the Badari and Naqada eras from simple natural materials; for example, plant branches, shells, beads, solid stones or bones. These were arranged in threads of flax or cow hair. To give these stones some brilliance, Egyptians began painting them with glass substances. Since the era of the First Dynasty, ancient Egyptians were skilled in making jewelry from solid semiprecious stones and different metals such as gold and silver. The art of goldsmithing reached its peak in the Middle Kingdom, when Egyptians mastered the technical methods and accuracy in making pieces of jewelry. During the New Kingdom, goldsmithing flourished in an unprecedented way because of regular missions to the Eastern Desert and Nubia to extract metals. These substances were processed and inlaid with all sorts of semiprecious stones found in Egypt; for example, gold, turquoise, agate, and silver.
Jewelry was used in daily life throughout the Pharaonic era until the Roman times. Egyptians were keen to keep a good number of jewelry pieces in the tomb; these were placed on the body of the deceased. A large number of such jewelry was found in tombs; for example, wreaths, crowns, or hair bands. On the head or wig, they fixed different types of ornaments, such as small roses, golden bands, and some simple bands of jewelry. There were also different types of belts, including waist belts and belts with hanging vertical straps ornamented with colored beads. Other types of jewelry included earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings, and necklaces.
A unique type of jewelry that never appeared in other cultures was the vest, which was worn around the chest. It was usually made of gold or of gold-plated metal. Even when it was made of a cheap material, it was painted yellow to give a golden impression. Wearing a golden vest is still an existing folklore practice in the Egyptian countryside, though it has a different name, the Kirdan. Every village girl dreams of wearing a golden one to boast of.
Ornaments and jewelry were not restricted to women. Men also used jewelry until the Roman era in Egypt. However, since the advent of Christianity in Egypt, with many people converting to that new religion, ornaments and extravagant luxury began to be less common and were replaced by manifestations of piety, religiousness, and righteousness. Most jewelry was made of cheaper materials bearing Christian symbols, such as crosses, pigeons, and the Egyptian Ankh sign, instead of the amulets that were used before. After the arrival of Islam in Egypt, men in particular were prohibited from wearing gold jewelry, but continued to use jewelry made of other materials, such as silver.
Several different types of sticks were found that were used for ceremonial staffs, scepters, flyswatters, hooked staffs, and walking sticks. They were usually made of wood and sometimes gold plated and inlaid with precious stones.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
The History of Jewelry from Egypt
Ancient Egyptians are very well known all over the world for their remarkable jewelry, especially the ones discovered from the period of the Middle kingdom’s reign. Egyptians started manufacturing jewelry during the Badari and Naqada eras from natural materials, such as stones, wood, and then becoming more sophisticated, made of pealed bones or braches, and starting to paint them with various substances. Their purpose was primarily religious and symbolic, often being a bit extravagant and were being worn by women and men alike. The most common symbol that was found from the ancients is the “Ankh” which was meant to represent eternal life. Some of the other symbols include the lotus flower, the falcon and the human eye, representing the healing process.
The art of jewelry-making started to flourish with the start of the Middle Kingdom, when pharaohs decided to express themselves better through gold objects. Egyptians started to master the technical methods of cutting semiprecious and precious stones with a sleek accuracy. Because of the regular missions to Nubian regions as well as Eastern Desert ones, Egyptians became more and more sophisticated in stone sculpturing, bringing from these regions not only gold, but silver, turquoise and agate as well. Pharaohs and high representatives of the ancient Egypt took to the tomb a large series of jewelry pieces like crowns, wreaths, rings, ear-rings and imposing necklaces, which were all placed on their mummified bodies. As a particularity, the vest that ancient Egyptians used to wore around their chest, has not been seen anywhere else in other ancient civilizations. It was made of pure gold, and sometimes surrounded with other precious stones. Ancient Egyptians used to make the vest even before the gold era, making it from other materials that they used to color in golden shades to make it look like gold.
Around Christianity period, and the time that followed, most jewelry were made of cheaper materials, but all incrusted with Christian symbols such as crosses, pigeons, a branch leaf, and the ancient Ankh sign. After the arrival of Islam in Egypt, men were prohibited from wearing jewelry, especially ones made of gold. However, they were allowed to wear silver ones. Not a lot of the ancient jewelries were recovered, since the artifacts were brutally ravished by thieves and the amount of gold from the ancient tombs was stolen. Still, what remained are true works of art and they are cherished at their real value, as should.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
The art of jewelry-making started to flourish with the start of the Middle Kingdom, when pharaohs decided to express themselves better through gold objects. Egyptians started to master the technical methods of cutting semiprecious and precious stones with a sleek accuracy. Because of the regular missions to Nubian regions as well as Eastern Desert ones, Egyptians became more and more sophisticated in stone sculpturing, bringing from these regions not only gold, but silver, turquoise and agate as well. Pharaohs and high representatives of the ancient Egypt took to the tomb a large series of jewelry pieces like crowns, wreaths, rings, ear-rings and imposing necklaces, which were all placed on their mummified bodies. As a particularity, the vest that ancient Egyptians used to wore around their chest, has not been seen anywhere else in other ancient civilizations. It was made of pure gold, and sometimes surrounded with other precious stones. Ancient Egyptians used to make the vest even before the gold era, making it from other materials that they used to color in golden shades to make it look like gold.
Around Christianity period, and the time that followed, most jewelry were made of cheaper materials, but all incrusted with Christian symbols such as crosses, pigeons, a branch leaf, and the ancient Ankh sign. After the arrival of Islam in Egypt, men were prohibited from wearing jewelry, especially ones made of gold. However, they were allowed to wear silver ones. Not a lot of the ancient jewelries were recovered, since the artifacts were brutally ravished by thieves and the amount of gold from the ancient tombs was stolen. Still, what remained are true works of art and they are cherished at their real value, as should.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
Friday, March 20, 2009
Egyptian Jewelry and It's Beginning
The jewelry industry has probably existed since the beginning of civilization. Man's earliest need, beyond food, shelter and clothing, was that of attracting the opposite sex and establishing a place of importance within the primitive society.
This led to the importance of being different, even before the first words were uttered. What started with leaves, twigs, stones of various colors and shells and even bones has now culminated into a prosperous industry that uses precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, alloys and gemstones to accentuate beauty.
The very first established and recorded civilizations was that on the banks of the fertile river Nile. The "Gift of the Nile" or Egypt, has a special place even in contemporary history because of the influence it has had on world events that have rippled down till today. The pharaohs and their extravagant lifestyles are still the dream of many of our celebrities.
The civilization was unique in every aspect including lifestyle, beliefs, festivals, gods and even jewelry! The very first established jewelry making industry in Egypt thrived around 3,000-5,000 years ago! The people were known to give great importance to luxury and rarity to prove their social status. They preferred the workability that gold offered over other metals that were accessible to them via extensive trade practices.
The Egyptians acquired much gold from the deserts of Africa and Nubia. This they captured as spoils of war and the tributes from defeated nations. Jewelry in Egypt symbolized power within the community. They wore and flaunted their jewelry when alive and even in death! This fact and the exquisiteness of their jewelry comes from archaeological evidence on excavating the famous tombs of the rich pharaohs.
The Egyptians used gold jewelry with settings of colored glass and precious gems. They had access to gemstones from the world over, however their preference for the colors they could create in glass is amply seen in the recovered jewelry. They went to the extent of actually creating a glass formulation to replicate nearly each gemstone.
According to their 'Book of the Dead', each color used in jewelry making denoted something. The color of the jewelry was very important to them. According to the book, a necklace of Isis around a mummy's neck should be red in color to symbolize the need for blood, while green jewelry stood for plenty and fertility.
Egyptian jewelry was designed via customization demands made by royalty, in large workshops that were attached to the temples and palaces. The Egyptian men and women wore elaborate gold and silver designs for the popular religious ceremonies, which were practically on a daily basis.
Jewelry-making was a significant craft. The designs live on today in the world market dedicated to the replication of the multitude of gold, silver and semi-precious stones and artifacts. The demand for embellished gold figurines, close-fitting collar necklaces, jewel-headed pins, ankle bracelets and heavy multi-strand necklaces is ample proof of this.
Jewelry in Egypt was set with brightly-colored stones, real gemstones and glass replicates in the form of leaves, spirals, cones, and bunches of grapes. Egyptian jewelry demands the use of a wide variety of sophisticated metalworking techniques.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
This led to the importance of being different, even before the first words were uttered. What started with leaves, twigs, stones of various colors and shells and even bones has now culminated into a prosperous industry that uses precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, alloys and gemstones to accentuate beauty.
The very first established and recorded civilizations was that on the banks of the fertile river Nile. The "Gift of the Nile" or Egypt, has a special place even in contemporary history because of the influence it has had on world events that have rippled down till today. The pharaohs and their extravagant lifestyles are still the dream of many of our celebrities.
The civilization was unique in every aspect including lifestyle, beliefs, festivals, gods and even jewelry! The very first established jewelry making industry in Egypt thrived around 3,000-5,000 years ago! The people were known to give great importance to luxury and rarity to prove their social status. They preferred the workability that gold offered over other metals that were accessible to them via extensive trade practices.
The Egyptians acquired much gold from the deserts of Africa and Nubia. This they captured as spoils of war and the tributes from defeated nations. Jewelry in Egypt symbolized power within the community. They wore and flaunted their jewelry when alive and even in death! This fact and the exquisiteness of their jewelry comes from archaeological evidence on excavating the famous tombs of the rich pharaohs.
The Egyptians used gold jewelry with settings of colored glass and precious gems. They had access to gemstones from the world over, however their preference for the colors they could create in glass is amply seen in the recovered jewelry. They went to the extent of actually creating a glass formulation to replicate nearly each gemstone.
According to their 'Book of the Dead', each color used in jewelry making denoted something. The color of the jewelry was very important to them. According to the book, a necklace of Isis around a mummy's neck should be red in color to symbolize the need for blood, while green jewelry stood for plenty and fertility.
Egyptian jewelry was designed via customization demands made by royalty, in large workshops that were attached to the temples and palaces. The Egyptian men and women wore elaborate gold and silver designs for the popular religious ceremonies, which were practically on a daily basis.
Jewelry-making was a significant craft. The designs live on today in the world market dedicated to the replication of the multitude of gold, silver and semi-precious stones and artifacts. The demand for embellished gold figurines, close-fitting collar necklaces, jewel-headed pins, ankle bracelets and heavy multi-strand necklaces is ample proof of this.
Jewelry in Egypt was set with brightly-colored stones, real gemstones and glass replicates in the form of leaves, spirals, cones, and bunches of grapes. Egyptian jewelry demands the use of a wide variety of sophisticated metalworking techniques.
Further Reading:
===============
For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Egyptian Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
http://www.myjewelersplace.com/categories/Egyptian-jewellery/
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