Egyptian Faience, made from silica, lime and natron then hand shaped or more typically moulded, faience is one of the most recognisably Egyptian art forms - but it wasn't always blue and it can be found in the most surprising places.Curated by +Aakheperure Merysekhmet
Blue Lotus Chalice, Unknown, 1475 BC - 1350 BC (New Kingdom, mid-Dynasty 18), From the collection of: Cincinnati Art Museum
Although often mistaken for a kind of glass, Faience is quite different, the distinctive blue glaze is created when salts migrate to the surface of the object and melt in the firing process.
Shabti of Neferibre-saneith, 6th century B.C., From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Faience was a mass produced product. Many pieces survived. Shabtis: little workers to perform tasks in the Afterlife, were a popular tomb item. Soft faience paste was pushed into moulds and fired.
Vase in the Shape of a Duck, Egyptian, 3rd-2nd century BC (Greco-Roman), From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
This beautiful Late Period piece shows the versatility of Faience. It also shows from the damage to the tail how the glaze is different to the body of the piece.
Faience Vessel with Procession of Four Bulls, Unknown, ca. 775-653 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This vessel may have had a ceremonial function. It was probably created using a two piece mould, one on the outside and a form on the inside to create the hollow.
Oil bottle, Unknown, -0600/-0500, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Hedgehogs were a popular motif for small decorative items. This Late Period piece was used for oil and could have been used as a lamp.
Amulet of Rabbit, Unknown, ca. 664-30 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Faience could be made into small objects such amulets. Contrary to the Museum description, rabbits are not endemic to Egypt. The desert hare is a hieroglyph in a title for Osiris.
"Marriage Scarab" of Amunhotep III and Queen Tiye, Unknown, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Mass produced scarabs such as this one were used to record important events. The text on the back describes the marriage of Amunhotep III to Queen Tiye.
Wine bowl with female lute player, Unknown, -1400/-1300, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
This bowl is decorated with black line work. Note the tattoo of the god Bes on the musician's leg and a pet monkey getting in on the act.
Djed-pillar Amulet, Unknown, 664-332 B.C., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
An amulet representing stability and the backbone of either Osiris or Set the Djed was a popular motif.
Cup, Unknown, ca. 985-974 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Small vessels like this were often included in funerary equipment and used as part of the funerary rites.
Scarab with Separate Wings, Unknown, ca. 712-342 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This scarab was made with wings to be attached to it. Faience could be used to create amazing decorative motifs.
Statuette of a Monkey, Unknown, first half of 3rd millennium B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
A small statuette of a monkey shows the beginnings of Faience work.
Nun Vessel, Unknown, ca. 1539-1500 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Nun, the primordial flood is represented in this bowl. It is thought that shallow bowls like this were used as part of the funerary rites to offer or pour water.
Hes Vase with Cover, Unknown, ca. 1350-1295 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
'Hes' vases were used to pour libations for the gods. They were often included as tomb models so that this could continue on behalf of the deceased in the Afterlife.
Shawabti of the Lady of the House Sati, Unknown, ca. 1390-1352 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This beautiful shabti has blue glaze hieroglyphs and coloured details, showing the sophistication of the artists.
Chalice in the Form of a Lotus, about 1080 BCE, From the collection of: The Toledo Museum of Art
The marsh scenes of papyrus and lotus combined with wildlife were popular decorative motifs. The cow suckling her calf may have been a reference to Hathor.
Statuette of a Hippopotamus, Unknown, 2500 BC - 1950 BC, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Despite being a beast often associated with Set, the Hippo was a popular motif for faience pieces and may have represented the fierce protector of women and children Taweret.
Scarabs, Unknown, Second millennia BCE - First millennia BCE, From the collection of: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Faience and gemstone scarabs. The Egyptians did not see faience as cheap or inferior to other products.
Face of a Shabti of Seti I, unknown, 19th Dynasty 1290 B.C - 19th Dynasty 1279 B.C, From the collection of: Albany Institute of History & Art
This shabti fragment highlights the level of detail achievable on even the smallest of pieces.
Tile Frieze Representing Lotus and Grape, Unknown, ca. 1184-1153 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Faience tiles show how it could be used to decorate palaces. Motifs from the natural world were popular with all Egyptians.
Figurine of Ptah, unknown, -700/-332, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Faience was used to create many devotional figures of gods. Here we see Ptah, god of craftsmen from the Late Period.
Frog, Unknown, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The frog symbolised fertility and rebirth.
Faience collar necklace, unknown, 1352-1327 BC, From the collection of: Royal Ontario Museum
Faience was prized for its beautiful colours that could be used to create more permanent versions of the ever popular floral garlands as seen here.
Upper Part of Figurine of the Goddess Isis, Unknown, 305-30 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Late Period figure of Isis shows the difference in glaze to body colour where damaged.
Fertility Figurine, Unknown, ca. 1938-1630 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
These figurines may have been using in magic/medical rituals/treatments. Note the way the figure has been deliberately snapped in two, and never had limbs.
Hedgehog, Unknown, ca. 1938-1700 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Hedgehog ornament from the New Kingdom. Some faience examples contained 'spines' and made a noise when shaken.
Thoth, God of Writing and Knowledge, as a Baboon, Egyptian, c. 664 BC - 525 BC, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Late Period figure of Thoth as a baboon, showing a darker glaze effect.
Tile with Floral Inlays, Unknown, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E., From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Imagine the decorative potential of these tiles. The first large scale use of faience tiles is in the underground chambers of Djoser's pyramid complex: thousands were used to simulate reed bundles.
Overseer Shabti of Nes-Khons, Egyptian, c. 1075 BC - 945 BC, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Example of a mass produced Overseer Shabti. These figures were meant to oversee the work of their subordinates on behalf of the deceased.
Faience spacer for necklace with images of a king and gods, -899/-700, From the collection of: British Museum
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