Traditional Hand Crafts Of Egypt

By Author: Chip Tolaney
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Early people of Egypt were motivated by gaining favor with the Gods and preparing for the afterlife. Ancient Egyptian arts - crafts developed as a mode to please and honor the Gods rather than as a way to create functional items for daily application. In ancient Egypt, creative artists were exalted associates of the royal hierarchy and their work was very much in demand by pharaoh and the aristocracy. When we think of Egyptian art, we think of the pyramids, Sphinx - treasures of King Tut's tomb. These are all amazing examples of traditional Egyptian artistry. But the primitive Egyptians had other abilities as well. Many of these traditional arts - crafts are still practiced today exactly as they were in pharaoh's time. The tools, skills and secrets have been passed down from generation to generation. Few of the important crafts are mentioned here.
Egyptian Mother of Pearl: As early as 4500 BC, early Egyptians used mother of pearl as a personal ornament to make themselves more pleasing to the Gods. Fragments of these ornaments, made of inlaid mother of pearl - silver, still exists till date. Mother of Pearl is made from ...
... the inner lining of shells such as conch or of oyster pearls. A famous item today is the crochet necklace or bracelet of layered pearls and beads on a crocheted foundation. Inlaid mother of pearl decorative gift boxes made of wood or metal are another in demand Egyptian handicraft. Constructed of abalone shell mother of pearl, hundreds of precisely cut pieces are handset into wood or metal one by one so that each box is different from the other. Especially remarkable is the way colors are reflected from the surface as a result of how the pieces of pearl are placed. Mother of pearl is also inlaid into decorative pieces that include silver gilt or gold into their designs.
Egyptian Leather Work: Murals from 4000 BC depict Egyptians wearing high heels made of soft leather pieces - attached onto the foot with leather ties, while panels of gilded leather work appear in some of the tombs. One of the earliest examples of Egyptian leather work is a 980 BC canopy of appliqued leather. And the Egyptian Mathematical Leather Roll, depicting a table of fraction expansions, dates from the Middle Kingdom period. Egyptian craftsmen now offer us economical and practical leather items like wallets, boxes, jackets, cigarette cases, shoes, bags, even dog collars, some accented with gold leaf.
Egyptian Glass Work: Early Egyptians initially used faience, made of quartz, to manufacture glass beads - other decorative glass, but the work developed with techniques like core, wound and mosaic. Opaque glass beads as early as 2160 BC were designed to simulate precious stones like lapis, lazuli and turquoise. Along with beads were amulets to assist the wearer with finding his/her way in the afterlife. Hand-blown glass vessels do not emerge until the rule of Tuthmosis I in the New Kingdom, and early glass vessels were made by captured slaves from the Middle East for exclusive use by Pharaoh and his court. Today, Egyptian glass vessels are available to everyone. Handmade, hand painted perfume bottles are exquisite, bringing to mind the mystery and magic of Arabian Nights. There are also beautiful glass blown candleholders, vases and flasks. These artistic vessels, in elegant colors and designs, resemble precious antiques.
About Author:
Chip Tolaney is a cultural enthusiasts and a designer. He frequently contributes his work to Cultural Elements that sells