Faience, which dates back to pre-dynastic times,
of at least 5,000 years, is a glasslike non-clay
substance made of materials common to Egypt:
ground quartz, crushed quartz pebbles, flint, a
soluble salt-like baking soda, lime and ground
copper, which provided the characteristic color.
The dried objects went into kilns looking pale
and colorless but emerged a sparkling "Egyptian
blue." Called tjehnet by the ancient Egyptians,
meaning that which is brilliant or scintillating,
faience was thought to be filled with the undying
light of the sun, moon and stars and was
symbolic of rebirth. Ancient Egyptians believed
the small blue-green objects helped prepare
them for eternity in the afterlife.
The simple, slightly flaring cylindrical shape of
these vessels belies the regal splendor of the
pair. Although the material, a brilliant
turquoise-hued faience that remains remarkably
vibrant today, is certainly associated with the
pharaoh, it is the presence of two columns of
hieroglyphic text painted on each jar in black
glaze that reveals the true nature of these works.
Although the texts are different, they both
mention the name of Ramses II, the fourth
pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty. Better known
today as Ramses the Great, Ramses II is famed
for his monumental constructions including a
mortuary complex at Abydos and the Hypostyle
Hall at Karnac, the Ramesseum, and most
notably, the Colossus of Ramses at Memphis.
Might these jars have once belonged to the
legendary pharaoh himself? Possibly, but
considering the humble stature of these pieces
compared to his monumental constructions, it is
far likelier that these containers would have once
belonged to one of his wives or consorts, who
were said to number over two hundred. Thus,
these gorgeous jars may have once held
ointments and cosmetics inside them that one of
his wife’s may have once applied to her face as
she awaited the company of Ramses the Great.
- (X.0006)
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