Among the world’s most ardent collectors of jewelry were the ancient Egyptians. Beauty was taken very seriously in ancient Egypt. Lavish personal adornment was the rule of the day, and everyone in Egypt wore some type of jewelry. Jewelry was a symbol of wealth, a dramatic statement about one’s social status, or religious beliefs. Not unlike today, people loved to show off their jewels.
Jewels had magic, the charm of beauty and the charm against evil. In addition to its esthetics, jewelry, especially rings and amulets, fulfilled the role of repelling evil spirits and injury. So treasured and revered in the society was jewelry, and strong the belief in its powers, that it remained with the owner throughout antiquity, the tombs of nobility laden with some of the world’s most precious gems. A mummy, especially, needs protection. One such magnificent piece is a 4-1/2 pound headdress resplendent in cascades of golden rosettes and precious stones that was found in pieces by tomb robbers at Qurna in 1916. This stunning impeccably detailed headdress has the look of liquid gold flowing over the banks of the River Nile and is an enduring reminder of ancient opulence - a tribute to the jewelry artists of the day.
With the New Kingdom came new styles, new riches. Both men and women of wealth wore pierced earrings made of gold, silver, or electrum (gold mixed with silver), embellished with rosettes and stars through the process of granulation, a meticulous technique which uses solder to fix tiny grains of gold to a gold surface. Egyptian beads, unmatched in number and variety by any other ancient society, still hold a timeless allure for jewelry collectors. Under the cloudless Egyptian sky the people went about their daily tasks or leisure, the gold of their broad jewel-encrusted bracelets and armlets dazzling in the hot sun. Armlets, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, broad collars, pendants, and hair decorations were inlaid with blue-green turquoise, red carnelian (a copper or reddish-orange stone), deep-blue lapis lazuli, and feldspar. Poor people adorned themselves with jewelry that was made of copper or faience (made by heating powdered quartz). Everyone shone bright - their passion for jewelry and their confidence in adorning themselves - palpable throughout the whole society, regardless of social status!
To be magically transported to a dusty ancient Egyptian street to walk amidst the throngs of bejeweled citizens would be intoxicating. Purely for their deep appreciation of beauty, the Egyptians take the prize. It’s not surprising that the ancient Egyptians also loved children, animals, art, gardens, nature, music, fine food and wine, and everything else we may desire or need to enrich our lives, to live abundantly, and to feel joyful. Yes, the ancient Egyptians liked ‘living large’ – and jewelry played a key role, just as it does in our society today.
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