Egyptian

Egyptian jewellery is rich with symbolism, reverence to the gods and early crafting techniques. Before the beginning of the 1st Dynasty in 3100 BC, the Egyptians already had access to precious metals and throughout the Dynastic Period they acquired it in ever increasing quantities.

These enormous amounts of gold were used by the Egyptian craftsmen many varied ways ñ to gild lesser materials, to plate wood and stone, solid casting, hammering and cutting sheets of it into elements of religious and ceremonial furniture and funerary equipment. However, the most widespread use was in the production of jewellery, both worn by the living men and women and, that made expressly for the adornment of the corpse. Egyptian funerary beliefs required that the mummified body be bedecked with the finest jewellery ñ be it an amulet or collar, the first choice of material being gold.

Ancient Egyptian jewellery made abundant use of different metals, minerals and a variety of stones in an amazing range of colours. Lapis lazuli found special place in most Egyptian jewellery items. Other materials used 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 used in abundance. Today modern Egyptian and Bedouin jewellery patterns are a blend of ancient designs with a more contemporary look.