Ancient Persian Faience, Collector Strand of 36 beads, 16-18mm
SKU: ORS-40
Sale price
$600.00
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Only 1 in stock
Description
- Faience 14-inch strand of 36 beads, largest 16x18mm
- From Persia (ancient Iran) about 100 - 600 AD
- Faience, invented as early as 5000 BC, is the ancestor of glass. It was made from ground up quartz (aka sand), alkali, and mineral colorants, especially copper, and water. This mixture was formed into beads and fired to the point that it fused together. During this process a surface glaze was formed (which is actually the earliest from of glass) usually in turquoise or blue. Other colors were developed later.
- Ancient faience making was important in Egypt, Mesopotamia (now Iraq w/ parts of Syria and Turkey) and Persia (Iran today).
- The industry is still m maintained in Iran where bright turquoise "donkey beads" are made. These are coveted around the entire Middle East and into Greece as protection from the "evil eye"