From Library Journal
Friedman (curator of ancient art, Museum of Art, Rhode Island Sch. of Design) provides a catalog that expands the Rhode Island School of Design's new traveling exhibit, affording an intimate look at a critical area of Egyptian art. There is little gold to catch the eye and no colossal statues to marvel at in the exhibit, but many of the faience pieces selected are important and most are exquisite. While spectators in exhibit halls must jostle to view each item, the catalog's photographs permit a detailed look, and essays by outstanding scholars in the field provide insight into creation and use. The photographs are exceptionally clear, critical in a book so filled with detail. This is a definitive work in what had been a barren field. Highly recommended for large public and academic libraries.?Mary Morgan Smith, Northland P.L., PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
Created from common materials, but possessing the majesty of gold and semi-precious gems, the ceramic now known as faience was used by the ancient Egyptians for a variety of luxury objects. Dolls were fashioned from it, as were baby feeders docorated to magically protect mother and child. Faience could be shaped into mummy masks, amulets, chalices, bowls, inkwells, jewelry, tiles and inlays for furniture. Its great popularity could have been due to one particular characteristic: radiance and brilliance, to the Egyptians a perfect metaphor for life, death and rebirth. This work analyzes the significance of faience, and presents illustrations of nearly 200 pieces drawn from public and private collections in Europe and America. It shows how faience was used and produced, as well as its symbolic values and meanings.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
