How Were Ancient Egyptian Faience Amulets Made?

Ancient Egyptian faience amulets are small objects with a big story to tell. Known to the Egyptians as tjehenet, faience is a distinctive ceramic material celebrated for its luminous blue-green colour and its powerful symbolic links to rebirth, protection, and the divine.

In this video, archaeologist and artist Zahed Taj-Eddin (how wonderful to be both!) of the Victoria and Albert Museum explores and demonstrates how these striking amulets were made thousands of years ago, revealing the materials, tools, and techniques used by ancient craftspeople. From shaping the core to glazing and firing, the process combined practical skill with a deep understanding of early ceramic technology.

Faience amulets were more than decorative items. They played an important role in religious belief and daily life, serving as protective charms and symbols of regeneration in both life and the afterlife.

For anyone like me, who is curious about ancient Egypt, archaeology, museum artefacts, or early manufacturing technologies, this is a fascinating glimpse into how beauty, belief, and innovation came together in the ancient world.