The characteristic blue-green color of faience is reminiscent of the more precious lapis-lazuli and turquoise, both of which ancient Egyptians associated with their protective goddess Hathor. This made faience artifacts especially important in the religious practice of ancient Egypt. The production of faience involved forming an object from silica paste, coating it with a mix of minerals for the desired turquoise glaze and, finally, firing it in a furnace. Production centers during the Hellenistic period (332–30 B.C.E.) included Tell Atrib about 30 miles north of Cairo. Tell Atrib Tell Atrib 1985–1995, vol. 4, Faience Objects Polish Archaeology in the […]
