What Egyptian jewelry looks like. Incredible jewelry art of Ancient Egypt (27 photos). Decorative art of Ancient Egypt

The princess was the daughter of Senusret II. Her tomb was discovered in 1914 at her father's pyramid in El Lahoun. Although the tomb was ransacked, a cache of fine jewelry and toilet articles was discovered in a niche. In the center of this openwork pendant, there is a cartouche of Senusret II on the figure of the god of eternity Hech. More than 370 details were used for inlay.

Pectoral of Princess Mereret. Around 1840 BC NS.

Mereret was the daughter of Senusret III and sister of Amenemhat III, and her burial was located on the territory of her father's pyramid complex. The burial has preserved a rich inventory, including excellent jewelry, including this openwork pectoral (breast decoration).

Around 1840 BC NS. Gold, amethyst.

The belt belonged to Princess Mereret, daughter of Senusret III. It consists of amethyst beads and gold panther heads connected in pairs. The panther was the embodiment of the divine principle and the protector of people.

Diadem of Princess Sat-Hathor-Iunit Around 1800 BC NS. (reign of Amenemhat III)

This masterpiece of jewelry was owned by one of the daughters of Senusret II.

Scourge of Princess Neferuptah. Around 1800 BC NS. (reign of Amenemhat III).

Queen Ahhotep's Bracelet
Around 1530 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, glass

Queen Ahhotep's Bracelet
Around 1530 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise

Treasure of the Wives of Thutmose III
C. 1504 - 1450 BC NS.
Gold, carnelian, glass
Sandals and bracelets come from the burial of the three wives of King Thutmose III - Menkhet, Merti and Menvai

Queen's headdress
C. 1504 - 1450 BC NS.
Gold, carnelian, glass
Reconstruction of the headpiece and hairstyle of the queen - one of the wives of Thutmose III

Bracelets & Earrings
15-14 centuries BC NS.
Gold
Although earrings have been known since the 5th dynasty, they only came into fashion in the 18th. They were worn by both men and women.

Warlord Jhuti Heart Scarab (Abdomen)
Around 1450 BC NS.

Jhuti Warlord's Heart Scarab (back)
Around 1450 BC NS.

Large cobra necklace. Fragment
14th century BC NS.
Gold; chasing

Mirror frame "Ankh" or "Cross of life"
14th century BC NS.
Wood, gold, colored glass paste; inlay
Found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun

Incense box
14th century BC NS.
Found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Made in the form of a double scroll, inlaid with colored glass paste

Necklace
Around 1400 BC NS.
Faience
The main motif of this lovely necklace is pomegranate buds and flowers

Beads
Around 1375 BC NS.

Sacred Scarab Beetle Necklace
Around 1350 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, green feldspar, calcite, glass
An example of "baroque" trends. Typical for some items from the tomb of Tutankhamun

Sacred scarab beetle pectoral
Around 1350 BC NS.
Gold, carnelian, turquoise, feldspar, lapis lazuli
The beetle was considered a symbol of rebirth and immortality. Often he was depicted rolling a ball of dung in front of him, which was associated with the rising sun.

Pectoral depicting a divine bird - a falcon. Fragment
Around 1350 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise
The god Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, is represented in the form of a falcon. In the claws of a bird are hieroglyphic signs of eternity (shen) and life (ankh)

Pectoral depicting a sacred scarab beetle surrounded by the royal Ureis and floral ornaments
Around 1350 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, glass

Pectoral with scarabs and floral ornament
Around 1350 BC NS.

The symbols of the Moon (god Thoth) and the Sun (god Ra) are depicted here.

Beads
Around 1340 BC NS.
Polychrome faience

The golden throne of Tutankhamun. Back view


Made by artisans of Akhetaton - the capital of Egypt under Pharaoh Akhenaten. The back of the throne depicts the royal Urei, plants and birds from the banks of the Nile

The golden throne of Tutankhamun. Side view
End of Dynasty 18 (circa 1333 - 1323 BC)
Wood, sheet gold, colored glass, enamel, semi-precious stones; inlay

Bracelet with "ujat" amulet
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, carnelian, glass

Scarab bracelet
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, quartz, turquoise, carnelian
The scarab ("kheper") was considered a symbol of the morning sun, with which the deceased king was identified. The very color of blue lapis lazuli meant eternal life

Necklace Detail (Counterweight Clasp)
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.

Necklace Detail (Pectoral)
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.

Pectoral necklace
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, feldspar, resin

Pectoral necklace in the shape of the goddess Nehbet
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, obsidian, glass

Falcon Pectoral
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, obsidian, glass

Winged Scarab Pectoral
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, silver, carnelian, lapis lazuli, calcite, obsidian (?), Turquoise, glass

Rings
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
The rings depict one of the most important deities of the Egyptian pantheon, whose cult was restored by Tutankhamun after 17 years of oblivion under the "heretic" pharaoh Akhenaten. This is Ra-Khorakhti, which means "Ra-Khor of the horizon"

Buckle
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold

Earrings
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold, quartz, calcite, faience, glass
The earrings were in a cartouche-shaped box. In the center of the composition are birds with a duck head and falcon's wings forming a ring. The birds are holding the signs "shen" ("infinity") in their paws. The pendants end with ureas.

Burial mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (3/4 perspective)
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gold leaf, blue glass paste, turquoise, lapis lazuli, enamels; inlay
An idealized portrait of the pharaoh, covering the head and shoulders of the mummy over the shroud

Amulet from the tomb of Tutankhamun
Around 1334 - 1328 BC NS.
Gilded wood, carnelian, feldspar

Amulets
Around 1325 BC NS.
Jasper, faience, gold
The following amulets are presented (top left to right): wand "was", "ankh", stem of papyrus "ouj", pillar of Osiris "Jed". In the center - "tit" ("knot of Isis")

"BA" bird-shaped mummy overlay
Around 1325 BC NS.
Gold, semi-precious stones

Ramses II Bracelets
Around 1290 BC NS.
Gold, lapis lazuli
These excellent bracelets were accidentally discovered during the construction of a railway near Tel Basta (ancient Bubastis), in a cache of a temple that was once located here. The vessels of gold and silver were also kept there.

Diadem
Around 1190 BC NS.
Gold
The diadem is a hoop on which 16 rosettes are fixed, forming a wreath. The rosettes bear the names of Seti II and his wife Tausert, from which we can conclude that the diadem belonged to the queen

Amulets: "ujat", heart, "tit", pectoral with a scarab
14th - 6th century BC NS. (18th - 26th dynasties)
Faience

Bracelet with scarab beetle clasp
Gold, carnelian turquoise, feldspar, lapis lazuli

Stacked bracelet with scarab clasp. Fragment
Gold, amethyst, semi-precious stones
National Museum
The inlaid bracelet alternates rows of scarabs and Wajit eyes, separated by golden balls. The clasp is made in the form of an amethyst scarab in a gold frame with images of the Ureis.

Necklace with falcon head ends. Fragment
Gold, colored paste
Each pharaoh during his life was considered the embodiment of Horus, and after death - his father Osiris

Vulture and cobra necklace

Pectoral necklace with images of the goddess Nehbet in the guise of a vulture and the goddess Wajit in the form of a cobra. The vulture and cobra represent respectively Upper and Lower Egypt and symbolize their unity under the rule of the pharaoh

Pectoral with the sister goddesses Nephthys and Isis. Fragment
Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, glass
The goddesses-sisters Nephthys and Isis, crouched on the sides of a large scarab. The solar disk, the scarab and the ureas make up the formula for the resurrection, the reviving pharaoh in the afterlife

Pectoral depicting the sky goddess Nut
Gold, enamel; chasing, carnelian
The wings of the goddess are spread out in a patronizing gesture. The hieroglyphic inscriptions engraved on the plate have the meaning of charm spells. The name of Tutankhamun occurs several times, however, the name of Akhenaten was originally inscribed in the cartouches.

Pectoral depicting a sacred scarab beetle surrounded by the royal Ureis
Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian.
This decoration was hung on long strands of beads with inlaid clasps, in the form of which the decorative elements of the pectoral itself were often repeated

Pectoral with images of a large winged scarab and the goddesses of Nephthys and Isis
Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, paste, enamel

Decoration
Gold, carnelian, turquoise, glass
National Museum
The goddess Nehbet in the guise of a vulture, wearing the crown of Atef, shields with her wings the pharaoh, wrapped in the robe of the god of death Osiris

Decoration
Gold, carnelian, turquoise, colored paste; inlay
To the left of the eye, Horus is the patroness of Upper Egypt, the goddess Nehbet (Vulture), to the right, the patroness of Lower Egypt, the goddess Uajit (Cobra)

An adornment with the wish that the deceased king would be granted eternity. Fragment
Gold, carnelian, colored paste
In the center - the figure of the goddess of eternity Gaia, supporting the eye of Horus; on either side of it are two cobras crowned with discs; symbols located at the edges mean infinity of time

Urey Senuserta II
Gold, precious and semi-precious stones
Urey was discovered near the pyramid of Senusret II in Illahun (Fayum oasis). It may have been stolen and lost by robbers. This wonderful piece of jewelry was part of real royal insignias.

Earrings with Egyptian crowns
3rd - 2nd century BC NS.
Gold, semi-precious stones, glass


Medallion depicting Isis and Serapis
222 - 180 BC NS. (reign of Ptolemy IV or Ptolemy V)
Gold

A bracelet
End of 1st century BC NS.
Gold, glass

Signet ring with the image of the god Sebiumaker
End of 1st century BC NS.
Gold, glass
Meroitic deity Sebiumaker is depicted with a beard, in a double Egyptian crown
The wide necklace and the temple façade are a typical decorative motif of Meroite art. The identification of the ram-headed deity remains in question

Ring
Around 70 AD NS.
Gold
The ring is made in the shape of a coiled snake with the busts of Isis and Serapis at the ends of the tail. Such decorations are not uncommon in Fayum portraits.

Beads with a lunula pendant
2nd century AD NS.
Gold, amethyst, pearls
The crescent-shaped "lunula" pendant has been used as an amulet in female portraits of mummies since the second half of the 2nd century.

It is known for certain that the Egyptians loved to decorate themselves. Beautiful bracelets made of precious stones, family seals - rings, exquisite crowns served not only as indicators of the wealth of their owner, but also of social status and even the presence of certain privileges of a civil servant. Ancient Egyptian jewelry was decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions and symbols: immortality - a scarab, protection - the wings of Isis and others.

Gold and silver were used as materials for making signs of royal power. When studying several exhibits, researchers managed to find out that the stones on the artifacts from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun are of extraterrestrial origin. They were smelted from materials found in, and are fragments of meteorites.

Jewelry in Ancient Egypt

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (Cairo, Tahrir)

Gold mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Cairo.
Pharaoh Tutankhamun's gold ring with a scarab. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Cairo.

Jewelry of ancient Egypt.
Tutankhamun's brooch, Ancient Egypt. Cairo Museum of Antiquities. The materials are gold and silver.
Gold band. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
Double inlaid bracelet of Pharaoh Shishonk I of Ancient Egypt. XXII dynasty. The ancient decoration of Egypt depicts the eye "Ujat" and "Heaven", symbolizing the eternal protection of the king. Materials: lapis lazuli, carnelian, gold. Capital Tanis. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
Pharaoh Psusenns' seven-strand necklace. Lower Egypt, Sharqia Governorate. The ancient capital of Tanis. Third transitional period, XXI dynasty. Material: gold. Weight: 8640 gr. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Cairo.
Sculpture of Tutankhamun. Carved out of wood. On the head of the pharaoh is a traditional decoration of ancient Egypt and a symbol of royal power: a crown with a cobra and urey.
Collar in gold faience. Period of the XXVIII dynasty of Ancient Egypt.
Urey of Pharaoh Senusret II. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Cairo.
Gold bracelet of Pharaoh Psusennes I. Lower Egypt, Sharkeya Governorate, Tanis. Material: gold. The third intermediate period, XXI dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The decoration was found on the mummy of King Psusennis. The name of the king and his position are engraved on the bracelet. The text reads: “King of Upper and Lower Egypt. Master of both lands. Beloved of Amun. May he be given life, another life in God, the Lord of joy and happiness. "
Isis amulet with chain. Belonged to General Ujedboundjed. Contains an image of Isis - a woman with a sun disk on her head.
Bracelet with fixation of Tutankhamun (Nebkeperure). Upper Egypt, Luxor Province, West Bank, ancient Thebes. Valley of the Kings. New kingdom, XVIII dynasty. Discovered in the tomb of the pharaoh in 1922 during an expedition by Carter. Made of gold, blue glass, lapis lazuli, calcite.
Pharaoh Tutankhamun's pectogram. Pendant "Winged Scarab". Materials: glass, gold, chalcedony. The central element of the decoration of ancient Egypt is a chalcedony scarab with wings. In one of his paws - a lotus flower, in the other - urey or cobra. He holds in his front paws a boat on which the Eye of Horus is. On both sides of it are the ureas - snakes. The symbol of Ujat is crowned with a golden crescent and the depiction of key religious cults in silver: Thoth, Re-Khorakhti and the king.
Pectogram with the name of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Upper Egypt. Province of Luxor - Ancient Thebes. West Bank of the Nile. Valley of the Kings. Materials: gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, blue glass. The period of the new kingdom, XVIII dynasty. The scarab in the center of the decoration has the wings of Horus's falcon.
Two bracelets of Pharaoh Ramses II. Materials: gold and lapis lazuli. The period of the New Kingdom, XIX dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The decorations are decorated with cartouches of the king. Ancient Egyptian gold bracelet.
Tutankhamun's bracelet with beads. XVIII Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. Materials: gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, jasper. Contains an image of Horus' eyes and the smallest scarabs. It was found on the chest of the mummy of the Egyptian pharaoh during the opening of the tomb by Carter in 1922.
Bracelet of the Pharaoh of Egypt Psusennes (Greek name). XXI dynasty. Found in the ancient capital of Tanis. Date of manufacture: approximately 1047 - 1001 BC Pharaoh's Egyptian name is Pasebachenniut. The name Akhepper Setepenamun given to him at his coronation is translated as "The Great Wall of Ra, chosen by Amun." He was the son of Penige and Henuttawi, daughter of Ramses II and his sister Mitnejmet. Ancient Egyptian jewelry. Wig.

Jewelry art in Ancient Egypt reached a high level of development, which is well known due to large-scale archaeological excavations on its territory.

Several factors contributed to this development. First of all, there were several large gold deposits in Egypt, which made this material available, in addition, the inhabitants of the land of the pharaohs attached sacred significance to jewelry. That's why absolutely everyone wore them, regardless of gender, age and social status. The fantasy of ancient Egyptian masters, embodied in jewelry, gave birth to real masterpieces, many of which are still trying to imitate famous jewelry houses.

Materials and jewelry techniques

Ancient Egyptian craftsmen mastered many techniques for making jewelry from a variety of materials. Most often, the jewelry of Ancient Egypt was created on the basis of gold, which was not lacking. With the help of special additives, jewelers could change its color in a wide range from light to green.

Gold was prized primarily for its picturesque appearance rather than value. For example, iron was a much rarer and more valuable metal, which was also used in jewelry to make combs and ornaments for hairstyles.

Ancient Egyptian jewelry was created from silver mined in the kingdom, as well as from electrum. This material was an alloy of silver and gold, outwardly resembling platinum.

The Egyptians did not yet know precious stones, such as rubies or emeralds; instead, ornamental stones were used: amethyst, carnelian, garnet, as well as lapis lazuli, which was especially highly valued. They loved rhinestone in Egypt. For the poor, it was replaced by transparent or colored glass and small beads, which served as the basis for many bracelets and necklaces. Used by ordinary people and ceramics, covered with multi-colored patterns.

The Egyptians loved bright and rich colors, so jewelers often used techniques such as smalt and enamel in their work. Popular were bright multi-colored pastes, which were used to cover materials for jewelry. Apparently, the favorite colors in ancient Egypt were turquoise, green, white and blue. Probably, such shades looked quite impressive on dark skin.

Jewelry of Ancient Egypt often took bizarre forms. These could be floral ornaments repeating the curves of grape leaves, daisy flowers, cornflower, etc. By the way, real flowers were also often used as adornments, albeit short-lived. Articles made of metals, bones or ceramics could take the form of animals: birds, snakes, frogs, dragonflies, giraffes, horses. Images of the scarab beetle, which was considered a strong talisman, were popular, as well as decorations in the shape of an eye, heart or a snake's head. The latter was considered a symbol of the power of the pharaoh.

Often, jewelry in Ancient Egypt, in particular medallions, was painted with paints. It could be a portrait of the owner of the jewelry, images of gods or whole miniatures. In this, the imagination of the ancient masters was not limited.

Types of jewelry

Egyptians knew almost all kinds of jewelry which are still in use today. The most popular accessory was perhaps the necklaces worn by both women and men. They were made from gold plates, beads or pendants of various shapes. The traditional adornment of Ancient Egypt was uckh, the so-called sun necklace, which was fixed on a leather lining and resembled a collar. The pharaoh's uskkh could weigh several kilograms, often this item was used as a reward for distinguished commanders and officials.

Incredibly popular among both women and men were bracelets that could be made from a variety of materials - from bone to beads. They wore bracelets on their forearms, wrists and legs. Women's anklets were sometimes decorated with bells that tinkled melodiously as they walked, forcing women to move smoothly and gently. Often bracelets - male and female - decorated the Eye of Horus, which served as a talisman and protected the owner from evil spirits and misfortunes. Magical and religious properties were often prescribed to jewelry, so various talismans and amulets were common in Egypt.

Rings in Ancient Egypt were also worn by representatives of both sexes. The only difference could be that male officials often used signet rings with initials and symbols. Earrings were also common, especially in the form of rings and circles - symbols of the sun. Pendants of various shapes and chains were attached to them. As a result, the weight of the earrings could be so impressive that it deformed the earlobe of the wearer, however, the Egyptians were not at all embarrassed by this.

During the excavations, such ancient decorations of Egypt as belts of gold plates were also discovered. They were not available to all inhabitants of the ancient kingdom, which cannot be said about the numerous ornaments for hairstyles and headdresses. The nobility used combs and hairpins made of expensive iron, less wealthy people used bone combs, which could be decorated with stones or glass. Gold jewelry and chains could be woven into natural hair and wigs. They were also decorated with hoops made of different materials. Pharaohs, for example, wore a golden diadem - ureus, in the middle of which was an elegant snake ( Urey- belonging to the royal attire of the pharaohs, which was a vertical, sometimes very stylized image of the cobra goddess Uajit, the patroness of Lower Egypt, which was attached to the forehead. An image of the kite goddess Nehbe, the patroness of Upper Egypt, was often placed next to the Uraeus.).

Since the Egyptians believed in an afterlife, jewelry was also relied on for the dead. For funeral ceremonies, special medallions were made in the shape of scarab beetles - symbols of resurrection and life. They can now be seen in many museums around the world, along with other pieces of jewelry art of Ancient Egypt.

Man's ability to embellish has been known since antiquity. They tried to decorate not only houses and temples, but also their own clothes, as well as the body. And in this regard, ancient Egyptian jewelry is considered the most skillful, the design of which is still admired by jewelry professionals today.

According to historical references, jewelry in Ancient Egypt began to be made from about 3100 BC. Moreover, these decorations spoke not only of the social status of the owner, but also had other important signals. All segments of the population owned jewelry, which spoke of their sacred significance for every citizen. Among the jewelry, bracelets, rings, earrings are known. However, lapis lazuli jewelry was considered the most valuable.

Symbolism in Ancient Egyptian Jewelry

Egyptian jewelry was primarily distinguished by symbolism and reflected its significance in terms of religious images. Almost all products depicted magical symbols, images of gods, animals and various hieroglyphs. In terms of their significance, such products were supposed to play the role of protecting ancient people from evil spirits and the evil eye.

However, there were other jewelry pieces that had nothing to do with religious cults, but were used as a seal. Such rings were worn by men, and the seal was considered the original signature with legal force. Wealthy men possessed expensive and sophisticated rings with intricate designs and precious stones. They were often painted with images of hawks or lions. Lower-class owners had copper or silver rings on their hands.

Obviously, for the ancient Egyptians, jewelry was not of the same value as it is today. They believed more in magical power, and reinforced the value according to their position. The products were protected from evil influences, bad moods and, oddly enough, even from physical violence.

As for the forms of jewelry, these were the various deities believed by the Egyptians. Among them, the scarab was of particular importance, symbolizing forward movement and great vitality. Indeed, if you look at its fast movement across the sandy expanses, you can be convinced of the great mobility and dynamism of the scarab.

Scarab beetle in Egyptian jewelry

According to Egyptian traditions, the scarab beetle was a symbol of the sun god Ra. Therefore, various bracelets, pendants, rings and necklaces with the image of a scarab were worn by absolutely all Egyptians, regardless of their class. Everyone was allowed to do this, and every resident treated such decorations with great respect. Due to the fact that there were many such items, and confusion could arise, the Egyptians indicated the name of the owner of the jewelry on the lower surface of the item.

Precious jewelry of the Egyptians

Stones indicated the value of ancient Egyptian jewelry, and these were precious and semiprecious samples. Among them, carnelian, amethyst, chalcedony, jasper, feldspar, malachite, turquoise and quartz were used. Earthenware was especially respected by the Egyptians. In color, this is a green-blue glass product, which was made from quartz and lime.
Some of the jewels were worn on the shoulders, wrists and ankles. For example, beautiful metal bracelets were worn on the shoulders and wrists. All this was decorated with the symbol of Ujat, which was considered the strongest amulet.

The artisans of this state made such exquisite and unique designs that Egyptian jewelry was exported to many countries of the ancient world and was highly valued at that time.

In the days of Ancient Egypt, jewelry was worn as talismans by both women and men. Many were buried along with their valuables that were used during life, including jewelry.

Signet rings, wide bracelets, as well as pendants, necklaces, earrings and pendants were especially common in those days. Bracelets were worn not only on the hands, but also on the ankles. Also popular was the Egyptian neck ornament, which could also fit around the shoulders and chest. This product is called "pectoral". According to legends, it was intended to protect the heart, in which the soul is located. Often the symbols of the heart itself were depicted on the pectorals, as well as other signs that personify life and power. In addition, people of noble family wore diadems decorated with precious stones and delicate patterns.

The use of stones in jewelry

Ancient Egyptian symbols

The most common symbol in ancient Egypt was the ujat, which was depicted as an oblong eye. It symbolized protection and healing. He was often painted on tombs to protect the soul of the deceased.

Ankh is a symbol of eternal life. Depicted as a cross with a ring at the top. This sign remains very popular in modern times; it is most often used in pendants.

Shenu is a rope ring with a name written inside it. In ancient Egypt, it was believed that such a talisman prolongs the life of a person whose name is inscribed on it and protects him from adversity.

Plants in Egyptian symbolism

The lotus flower is one of the most common symbols of Ancient Egypt. This plant represents rebirth, creation and the sun. According to mythology, the sun in the sky appeared from a huge lotus flower that arose from the ocean. Egyptian jewelry very often contained elements in the form of this plant.

Egyptian jewelry was often decorated with precious stones, the most common of which were turquoise, onyx, lapis lazuli, amethyst, opal, and garnet. These minerals were also often present in the decoration of expensive clothing, belts, and other products. Turquoise symbolized joy, lapis lazuli - mercy, and red stones - power.

Jewelry colors

In addition to precious stones and symbols of the gods, colors in jewelry were of particular importance. The color difference determined the protection against certain hazards. Most of all in the price was lapis glaze, which had a special blue color and was worn exclusively by royal people. The color green was also revered, symbolizing the productivity and fertility of the land. For ritual burials, red necklaces were used, meaning the blood that was offered to the goddess Isis.

The value of metals in ancient Egyptian jewelry

The most common metal for the Egyptians was gold. The reason is that there was a lot of it because of the easy mining that took place in Nubia. Silver was also used, but in smaller quantities due to the difficulties of mining.

The products that were made from these metals were complex and consisted of buckles and gold clasps, made using the filigree technique. The next metal that was popular after gold and silver was bronze. It was sometimes covered with gold foil. Alloys were also used, including electrum. Electrum is an alloy of gold and silver with a small proportion of copper and other impurities, reminiscent of platinum in its brilliance. The curious thing is that today it is almost impossible to get it.

It should also be noted that iron in Egypt was considered a valuable material worth more than gold. Hair combs and various hairpins were made from it. In terms of their value and beauty, these products were considered works of art, which were inlaid with colored enamels and stones. All of them had images of figurines of birds and animals.

Another reason for the value of silver was that it was associated with the goddess Isis. Silver and stones in general had magical powers for the Egyptians, therefore they were used in various esoteric practices.

The version about the extraterrestrial origin of some Egyptian jewelry

Some of the decorations, which at one time archaeologists discovered in the ancient Egyptian settlement of Al-Girza, are believed to be made of the metal of a meteorite. Scientists have established their age at five thousand years, and the most complete report on this study can be found in the scientific research journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

The found product samples were analyzed in detail using scanning microscopes and a tomograph. The results showed that the jewelry contained thirty percent pure nickel. This does not happen in terrestrial nature, and only meteorites consisting of metal can contain such a large amount of nickel. Scientists also discovered a special structure that looks like a characteristic crystal pattern, which can only be obtained with a gradual cooling of the asteroid.

The found product, which was examined by scientists, is a metal bead. It belongs to the Gergei culture, which existed in the earliest period of Egyptian culture. Then the extraction of iron by the Egyptians was impossible and it turns out that all ancient finds of this kind are decorations that were made from meteorite remains. The Egyptians only crafted and added embossing and other features to these decorations.

Jewelry in ancient Egyptian clothing

In structure, the clothing of the Egyptians was very simple. It was made of linen, but the fineness of its processing was more like silk clothing. Great importance was attached to the dyeing of the fabric, for which natural dyes of green, red and blue shades were used. In a later historical period, yellow and brown colors began to predominate. In addition to linen, which was the main clothing, the Egyptians wore leather and cotton products.

It is noteworthy that the differences in the estates were determined exclusively by the quality of the fabric. For ordinary people, it was rougher and protected from various bad weather, but for the rich, clothes were thin and soft. Men wore skhenti, which were aprons attached with a belt to the waist. In some cases, two or more of them were worn. The women wore kalaziris - tight-fitting, straight-cut shirts with straps.

Hats

The headdresses of the Egyptians are particularly original and served as adornments. The simplest is leather and silk laces, headbands, various metal hoops that the Egyptians wore on wigs and their own hair.

The pharaohs had their own headdresses. In solemn moments, they were put on special headdresses with precious metals. On the head, they held tightly and covered all the hair, leaving only the ears open. Among the most ancient is millet. This is a crown, the shape of which is more like the shape of a bottle that has been inserted into a ring. After the Upper and Lower Egypt were united, the pharaohs began to wear such a headdress in red and white. According to the rules, millet was worn on small linen hats or scarves.

Another famous headdress is atef. This is also a double reed crown, which is decorated with images of a snake and a kite. The variety of these ancient Egyptian jewelry was determined by the presence of tiaras and precious metal.
Absolutely all classes wore a headscarf called klaft. And its variety is considered a striped model called dumb. In the design of head adornments, the ornament of plant motifs was practiced. These are mainly lotus petals.

Of the symbols, the image of a small snake should be noted, which spoke of the divine origin of the pharaoh and his unlimited power. It was called ureus, and it was made of gold using colored enamels. An image of a snake was located at the temple or above the forehead. In rare cases, on the beard of the pharaoh. Although there are examples when the pharaoh has several such adornments in different places.
The Egyptian warriors had felt hats and helmets as headdresses. For clergymen, headscarves and hats with masks of sacred animals fixed on them were supposed.

Among Egyptian women, the wearing of hats was a rare occurrence. Only queens wore a headdress. If you look at the paintings, then the wives of the pharaohs are dressed in hawk-shaped headdresses with outstretched wings, which is made of gold with the use of enamels and precious stones. There were also other types of women's hats. Queen Nefertiti's headdress had a cylindrical shape. Women of the upper class wore flowers, wreaths, ribbons, tiaras, gold chains and various pendants with glass and jewelry on their heads.

Ancient Egyptian hairstyles

Egyptian hairstyles had their own peculiarity, maintaining a trapezoidal shape. The main feature was a wig made from animal hair or hair. Also, for this, ropes and plant fibers could be used, which were dyed in black and dark brown colors. The pharaohs and the estates close to them had large wigs. And the rest wore small round wigs. The main thing is that the wig performed the function of protection from the scorching sun, so everyone wore them.

Over the course of history, hairstyles have become more complex, and this is especially true for wigs. There, the hair begins to braid in numerous pigtails, and then curl. Hair length increased and began to reach shoulder level. The bangs have transverse and longitudinal parting. When ceremonial events came, the Egyptians began to wear long wigs, which had large curled locks. All this was carefully soaked in incense, perfume and aromatic oils. In some cases, instead of curling, they used tightly styled braids, under which their own hair stood out.

In women, the hair was significantly longer, as were the hairstyles themselves. Noble ladies wore intricate hairstyles with clear and strict lines, so these hairstyles in history were called geometric.

Various accessories with ethnic motives are now at the height of fashion, as well as an unusual combination of materials. The style of Egyptian jewelry is one of the most distinctive, and therefore the most popular among fashionistas.

Ancient Egyptian jewelry

Egyptian ones have been known for a very long time, thanks to the numerous excavations that took place on the territory of this country. In ancient times, gold and some semi-precious stones were mined in several places in Egypt, so jewelry made from this metal was widespread. They were worn by everyone: adults and children, men and women. By the number and volume of precious items, it was possible to determine the position of a person. For example, the pharaoh had to constantly wear a voluminous collar necklace, as this indicated his high status in society. Ordinary people also wore gold products widely, since at that time this metal was quite affordable and was valued for its beautiful appearance rather than its cost. By the way, iron products, which were also made in Ancient Egypt, were much more expensive than those made of gold. Also, stones such as pomegranate, carnelian and amethyst were widely used in the decoration of jewelry. One could find Egyptian jewelry with enamel or made of beads.

The main models of Egyptian jewelry are bracelets for hands and feet, rings, earrings, brooches. Very often they were performed in the form of sacred symbols or animals, and sometimes such amulets were depicted on metal using various techniques. So, on numerous products you can see a scarab beetle, which was especially revered by the Egyptians, or a drawing of a whip and a triangle - a symbolic designation of the Nile River delta - the main source of water and fertile soil for agriculture in Egypt.

Egyptian style jewelry

Egyptian gold jewelry looks very expensive and unusual, but the modern fashion industry offers a huge amount of affordable jewelry made in this ethnic style. Then the clothes are selected in calm tones and shapes.

Egyptian neck jewelry is usually voluminous, dense, reminiscent of collars. They consist of several rows of metal plates or beads, often also have pendants made of beads or small beads. Such decorations are often made of multicolored materials and can depict, for example, birds spreading their wings wide. Usually, such necklaces look most advantageous during the day with a white T-shirt or shirt, complemented by a jacket and trousers or a skirt, and in the evening - with a plain dress that matches the color and has a very simple cut.

Earrings in the Egyptian style resemble candelabra, they consist of several rows of beads with pendants at the ends. Most suitable for evening wear, as they look very festive and rich. In addition, for constant wearing during the day, such earrings are somewhat heavy, but for publication in the evening they will be an excellent option. When using such an accessory, you need to simplify the decor of the dress as much as possible, as well as choose a hairstyle in which the earrings will be visible in all their glory.

Egyptian-style bracelets can be bulky or thin, however, they never have a clasp and are held on the hands with their round shape. These bracelets can be worn above or below the elbow. Sets of bracelets of different widths, decorated with similar ethnic motifs, look especially beautiful.