Egyptian Turquoise
Published On: 11-14-2011 08:41pm
Comments: 1 - Hits: 737
Category: Egypt
Turquoise blue was an important color in the lives of Ancient Egyptians. The paintings and sculpture created by skilled workers were not considered art at the time, but were created for the purpose of faith, duty and posterity; we now look to these masterpieces and enjoy their beauty. Some of the most enchanting artifacts used blue to represent the eternal vastness of the sky and water.
My latest Egyptian inspired jewelry creation blended colors and shapes from two specific artifacts: William the Hippo, and the Funerary Broad-Collar of Wah.
This charming blue hippopotamus figurine was found in 1910, in the tomb of a steward - Senbi II. It is crafted from molded faience - a type of ceramic made from crushed quartz that was commonly used by craftsmen in Ancient Egypt. The blue glaze and lotus motifs help connect the spirit of the hippo to the waters of the Nile.
The Egyptians believed in using and manipulating symbols to shape their paths in life and in death. A figurine like this one may have been placed in a tomb to provide protection or even sport for the deceased. It is believed that this figurine was intentionally hobbled by breaking three of it’s legs, so that it could not harm the spirit of Senbi in the afterlife.
Dubbed “William” this figurine is the unofficial mascot of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it has lived since 1917.
Also made from blue glazed faience, the jewelry found in the sarcophagus of Wah - a scribe and overseer who worked for the treasurer of Pharaoh Nebhepetre Mentuhotep - is among some of the best preserved jewelry from Ancient Egypt. The faience beadwork that adorned the preserved body of Wah survived thousands of years, almost completely intact.
This broad collar is a stunning example of the wonderful jewelry that the Egyptians wore in life and in death. Stone and faience jewelry like this collar, or Wesekh, was more common. The more powerful or wealthy a person was, the more extravagant their jewelry. Other types of necklaces, rings and adornments were made from gold, silver, and gemstones like carnelian and lapis.
Jewelry and precious materials were even more important in the afterlife. Mummies have been found with golden shoes, finger and toe covers, false tongues, elaborate bead netted coverings, and of course exquisite funerary masks carved to resembled the deceased in their prime.
This collar can also be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of art, along with hundreds of other artifacts. The Met once displayed several of Tutankhamun’s possessions, from the collections of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, but was gracious enough to return them to Egypt in 2010. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities continues their attempts to recover other precious heritage artifacts, such as the bust of Nefertiti, which has been on display in Berlin since 1923.
Have you ever been to see these treasures in person?
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
Like Handmade? Join ArtFire to get your own store and built-in blog!
My latest Egyptian inspired jewelry creation blended colors and shapes from two specific artifacts: William the Hippo, and the Funerary Broad-Collar of Wah.
This charming blue hippopotamus figurine was found in 1910, in the tomb of a steward - Senbi II. It is crafted from molded faience - a type of ceramic made from crushed quartz that was commonly used by craftsmen in Ancient Egypt. The blue glaze and lotus motifs help connect the spirit of the hippo to the waters of the Nile.
The Egyptians believed in using and manipulating symbols to shape their paths in life and in death. A figurine like this one may have been placed in a tomb to provide protection or even sport for the deceased. It is believed that this figurine was intentionally hobbled by breaking three of it’s legs, so that it could not harm the spirit of Senbi in the afterlife.
Dubbed “William” this figurine is the unofficial mascot of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it has lived since 1917.
Also made from blue glazed faience, the jewelry found in the sarcophagus of Wah - a scribe and overseer who worked for the treasurer of Pharaoh Nebhepetre Mentuhotep - is among some of the best preserved jewelry from Ancient Egypt. The faience beadwork that adorned the preserved body of Wah survived thousands of years, almost completely intact.
This broad collar is a stunning example of the wonderful jewelry that the Egyptians wore in life and in death. Stone and faience jewelry like this collar, or Wesekh, was more common. The more powerful or wealthy a person was, the more extravagant their jewelry. Other types of necklaces, rings and adornments were made from gold, silver, and gemstones like carnelian and lapis.
Jewelry and precious materials were even more important in the afterlife. Mummies have been found with golden shoes, finger and toe covers, false tongues, elaborate bead netted coverings, and of course exquisite funerary masks carved to resembled the deceased in their prime.
This collar can also be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of art, along with hundreds of other artifacts. The Met once displayed several of Tutankhamun’s possessions, from the collections of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, but was gracious enough to return them to Egypt in 2010. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities continues their attempts to recover other precious heritage artifacts, such as the bust of Nefertiti, which has been on display in Berlin since 1923.
Have you ever been to see these treasures in person?
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
Like Handmade? Join ArtFire to get your own store and built-in blog!
By Guest on 03/15/2012 @ 01:20am
I can see myself being sidetracked in your blog for an Egyptian ffeast...:) dotb