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 body of this gorgeous turquoise-hued
faience vessel has a cylindrical form that tapers
downward and flares outwards at the base. The
cylindrical jar is one of the most common forms
of Egyptian containers that were first created in
terracotta and later carved from stone. Generally,
these types of vessels were used to contain
valuable unguents, as is likely with this beautiful
example. From the 6th Dynasty onwards, lids
appeared. This ointment jar features an
internally rimmed lid that fits securely into the
mouth of the container. Thus, such jars were
meant not only to hold, but also to preserve their
precious contents. The most remarkable feature
of this work is the line of hieroglyphic text
inscribed onto the side. What does this say?
Perhaps it details the name of its owner?
Perhaps it offers a prayer for the dead.
Considering the diminutive nature of this
container, it most probably functioned
specifically as a funerary offering, standing in
place of its larger, everyday counterpart. Surely
this interpretation would be in keeping with the
luxury of the material and the presence of the
text. Faience works were often interred with the
deceased in order to provide for the afterlife, so
that we would continue to be surrounded in the
next world with the things we held dear in this
one.
- (X.0004)
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