More than ornament: jewels as language
Egyptian jewellery was a system of symbolic communication, a declaration of status, a tool of spiritual protection and a passport to eternal life.
Favourite materials
Colours had specific meanings: the blue of lapis lazuli represented water and sky. The red of carnelian symbolised blood and vital energy. Gold was the skin of the gods — incorruptible, eternal, divine.
Why were they buried with their jewels?
For the Egyptians, death was not the end but a transition. The deceased needed their earthly possessions — including jewels — to pass the judgement of Osiris. Certain amulets had specific protective functions: the scarab protected the heart, the eye of Horus protected against evil.
Egyptian techniques
The Egyptians pioneered several jewellery techniques still used today: cloisonné, granulation and filigree.
