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The symbolism of jewellery in Ancient Egypt

Egypt is considered to be one of the dominant civilisations in ancient history. Egyptians were surrounded by riches through their direct access to gemstones and other precious materials that could be found in all of Egypt. They were also very advanced in their use of technology and very quickly became the leading civilization in creating and crafting many different types of jewellery. Jewellery was worn by ancient Egyptians for various reasons, the main ones being status, protection and aesthetics.

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What role did jewelry play in Ancient Egyptian culture?

Ancient Egyptians valued jewelry for status, protection, and beauty. Gold was considered divine, representing the "flesh of the gods" and offering eternal protection. While all social classes wore jewelry, materials varied according to wealth—gold for the elite, copper for commoners.

Jewelry served as protective amulets, with designs featuring deities like the Evil-repelling Eye of Horus, or gemstones like lapis lazuli symbolizing truth and wisdom. Beyond these practical purposes, aesthetic appeal remained essential.

The ancient Egyptians crafted diverse jewelry types: wesekh collars (ceremonial neck pieces), bracelets, rings, earrings, anklets, and royal headpieces. These items demonstrated remarkable craftsmanship, incorporating gold, silver, semi-precious stones, and faience according to the wearer's social standing, creating a rich tradition of adornment that expressed identity and belief.

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ancient jewellery displayed at a museum

What was gold jewellery in Egypt worn for?

Gold, the quintessential emblem of eternity and divine power in ancient Egyptian culture, played an unparalleled role in the life of both royalty and commoners. Gold jewellery in Egypt, as a dazzling metal that mirrored the radiant sun, was believed to be the flesh of the gods, offering a divine connection and eternal protection. This introduction explores the profound and multifaceted significance of gold jewellery in Egypt, revealing its influence on status, spirituality, and artistry.

A symbol of social status

Egyptians valued jewellery as a symbol of social status and power. Jewellery was worn by both women and men, regardless of age or social status. The only difference may have resided in the materials used, where wealthier people would wear gold and lower classes would rather wear copper.

Amulets of protection

Jewellery was also considered to have highly protective powers and was often used as amulets by ancient Egyptians. The amulets, which often consisted of gemstones, beads and bones, were supposed to protect the wearer from illness, accidents and evil influence.

These powers were attributed to the amulets either through the design itself, for instance if the amulet was a figurine of a deity then that deity provided the wearer with those powers. A famous figurine is the Eye of Horus that repelled evil.

Or, there were also particular powers that were given through the use of specific gemstones. Lapis-lazuli was one of their favourite gemstones because it was the ultimate symbol of truth, wisdom and royalty with its deep blue colour. It was either used as an amulet or directly set in gold bracelets and other pieces of jewellery.

Aesthetic mastery

Last but not least is aesthetics. Aside from social status and protection or other religious beliefs, the main reason why anyone wears any type of jewellery is simply aesthetics. And that was already the case in ancient Egypt, jewellery had to be worn every day and was part of the people’s lives.
An Egyptian wesekh collar featuring intricate blue and black beads, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and design.

What types of jewellery did they wear?

Egyptians wore a diverse array of jewellery, each piece steeped in meaning and crafted with expert precision. Key items included:

Necklaces and collars (Wesekh)

The wesekh collar was one of the most iconic forms of Egyptian jewellery, worn by both men and women. These large, flat collars were made of gold, semi-precious stones, faience, and glass beads, arranged in rows or layers. They often featured intricate designs and were draped around the neck and shoulders, symbolising wealth, divine power, and protection. The pharaohs and elite members of society frequently wore these collars during ceremonies or religious rituals.
A beautifully crafted Egyptian bracelet adorned with gold and blue enamel, identified as the Bracelet of Ahhotep

Bracelets and armlets

Egyptians loved adorning their wrists and arms with bracelets and armlets, usually made of gold, silver, or copper for the wealthy, while commoners used materials such as faience. Gold cuff bracelets, often decorated with inlaid stones like turquoise or carnelian, were worn as both status symbols and protective amulets. Upper-class Egyptians might also wear snake-shaped armlets, which represented protection and fertility.
An Egyptian scarab ring featuring a vibrant turquoise stone, symbolising protection and transformation in ancient culture.

Rings

Rings were worn by both the rich and the poor, with the wealthy donning gold rings set with gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, or garnet. Rings often had symbolic designs engraved into them, including images of gods, scarabs, and other protective motifs. Signet rings were commonly used for sealing documents and had the owner’s name or title inscribed on them.
Three intricately designed Egyptian gold earrings, showcasing unique patterns and craftsmanship

Earrings

Although earrings became popular later in Egyptian history, by the New Kingdom, both men and women wore elaborate gold earrings. These could take the form of large hoops or dangling designs with precious gemstones, and they were a clear mark of status and wealth.
A gold and black beaded anklet, elegantly designed

Anklets

Anklets were a popular piece of jewellery, especially for women, and were made of gold, silver, bronze, or beads. Wealthier Egyptians would wear intricately designed anklets with inlaid precious stones, while the lower classes wore simpler versions made from less expensive materials.
A decorative gold headband with vibrant patterns, showcasing two gazelle heads, reflecting ancient Egyptian aesthetics.

Headpieces and diadems

Elite Egyptians, particularly royalty, wore elaborate diadems or headpieces. These often consisted of gold bands adorned with precious stones and symbols like the uraeus (the cobra symbol of kingship), and sometimes feathers or images of Hathor, the goddess of beauty and love. The headpieces were a direct symbol of royalty or divine connection.
A necklace featuring green and blue beads, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian design elements.

Belts

Sometimes, decorative belts made of gold or beads were worn around the waist, especially by the wealthy. These belts were often connected to jewel-encrusted girdles and were typically worn during religious festivals or important public ceremonies.

Discover the art of fine jewellery with BAUNAT

In conclusion, jewellery in Ancient Egypt was far more than mere decoration — it was a potent symbol of status, protection, and aesthetic refinement. Each piece, meticulously crafted, told a story of the person wearing it, reflecting their place in society, their beliefs, and their appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship.

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  • Fabienne Rauw

  • BAUNAT Antwerp

  • Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.