Egypt, a land of pharaohs, pyramids, and vibrant culture, has a rich tradition of craftsmanship that continues to thrive today. From intricate jewelry inspired by ancient symbols to handmade textiles and unique culinary delights, products made in Egypt offer a glimpse into the country's rich heritage and the skill of its artisans.
Jewelry: Ancient Symbols and Modern Designs
Egyptian jewelry is renowned for its beauty and symbolism, often drawing inspiration from ancient mythology and religious beliefs.
- Ankh Pendants: Discover a piece of history with a stunning 18K gold Ankh pendant, an elegantly detailed replica of the ancient Egyptian symbol of life. The Ankh, the hieroglyphic symbol of life, is one of the most well-known and popular protective amulets of ancient Egypt. Styles range from simple designs in Egyptian Silver (approximately 85% silver) to more elaborate pieces featuring clear rhinestones or stylized interpretations of Arabic calligraphy.
- Eye of Ra Pendants: Wear a symbol of protection with a small 18K gold Egyptian Eye of Ra pendant, crafted with real, solid 18K gold.
- Scarab Jewelry: Symbolizing rebirth, transformation, and self-creation, the scarab is the god Khepri (‘he who comes into existence’), representing the rising sun. The scarab is the most popular good luck charm from ancient Egypt. Going back as early as 2345 B.C the Scarab Beetle or Scarabaeus Sacer is by far the most important amulet of Ancient Egypt. These beetles are mostly made of alabaster or granite and are available in many sizes to suit bracelets and necklaces or simply look over its owner from a shelf.
- Ankh Rings: These rings are made from Egyptian Silver (approximately 85% silver), which is standard in the Egyptian marketplace. The silver is stamped by the Egyptian government certifying the silver content.
- Birthstone Pendants: A unique gift featuring your birthstone, astrological Sun sign and a group of hieroglyphic symbols representing health, life and happiness. The birthstones are beautiful cubic zirconia with slight variances in color.
Statues and Figurines: Gods, Goddesses, and Mythical Creatures
Ancient Egyptians worshiped and honored many gods and goddesses, building huge temples and great statues to them. These statues are popular for their historical significance and artistic value.
- Bastet Statues: Perfect for anyone with an appreciation of Egyptian mythology and the goddess Bastet! Bastet, the cat goddess of the home, is one of the most popular goddesses of ancient Egypt. The goddess of plenty and joy, the cat Bastet represents the protective aspect of female power. Bastet is the daughter of Ra, the Sun God. She is aligned with the lioness and also represents the attributes of ferocious protection. Sustainably crafted in Luxor, Egypt by skilled multi-generational artisans. A 6-inch-tall statue of the Egyptian goddess Bastet features a beautiful yellowish marble pattern with white veins. The stone is calcite; however it is most commonly called alabaster in the markets of Egypt. Made by hand in Egypt! Until now, in the City of Bastet “Tal El Basta” were found and still exist near 300,000 mummified cats. With a head of a cat and the body of a woman, Bastet is believed to protect homes from evil and vermin. The goddess is usually depicted in one or two typical shapes or positions, but in many different materials, ranging from cheap plastic to expensive granite with rare colors.
- Anubis Statues: This statue portrays Anubis, the ancient Egyptian God of the Underworld. Anubis is credited with inventing mummification and is the protector of the deceased. This 8.75-inch-tall statue is made by hand from polymer in Egypt!
- Bes Statues: This unique statue features the Egyptian god Bes. Bes, the dwarf-like Egyptian deity with a lion's mane, was venerated as a protective guardian of homes and families, believed to repel malevolent spirits and bring happiness through music and dance.
- Camel Statues: Welcome to your new companion - the small camel statue from Egypt! This beautifully crafted figurine is the perfect addition to your home or office, designed to bring a delightful touch of culture and history with its intricate carvings.
- Ra Statues: This small statue depicts the Egyptian god Ra. Ra was the sun-god whom over time was transformed into several manifestations, morphing into Amun-Ra, Montu-Ra, and eventually Horus. It is 5 inches tall and made of polymer with a hand painted patina finish.
Textiles: Khayameya and Traditional Clothing
Egyptian textiles are known for their vibrant colors, intricate designs, and historical significance.
- Khayameya: Egyptian Tent Textile decoration craft is a unique art, which started in the Pharaohic era and flourished after the Islamic conquest. Khayameya is a fine decorative textile, famous for its durability as it is made of thick Tiel “Kenaf” cloth. Egyptians used Khayameya in the past to create shelter tents, which protected them from the sun and sand storms while traveling in the Western desert. Khayameya is all hand-made. The finest pieces usually feature Arabic typography or Islamic decorative shapes with golden thread strokes and colored fills. Nowadays it is used to decorate people's houses, wedding parties as well as funerals. Khayameya market is located right after “Bab Zewela”, where it is exhibited in a vivid variety by the many dealers of the ground floor, while the workshops are located on the second floor.
- Fez: The fez used to be a formal hat for citizens and Pashas, made of soft and durable Kilim fabric. This fashionable headgear was worn in Egypt from 1805 till 1952, but now is rarely to be found. Only some Muslim Sheikhs and Bedouin travelers still use this vivid red cylinder-shaped hat, which was designed by the Andalusian Arabs back in the 17th century in the city of Fes in Morocco.
Incense: Fragrances of the East
Incense has been used in Egypt for centuries, both for religious rituals and to create a pleasant atmosphere in homes.
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- Oud and Bokhor: Bring the Middle Eastern fragrance to your home, just by burning some Oud mixed powder. There are two types of incenses available. First is the very famous Oud or “Agar-wood”, which comes from the heart of the infected Aquilaria tree. The raw materials are imported from countries of the Far East like India or Indonesia. Agar Wood is Egyptians' favorite fragrance, even though it is as pricey as it is pleasant. A cheaper alternative would be a mixed powder, containing other incenses like “Ein Al Afreet” and “Mastic”. The other type is Bokhor “Incense sticks”, available everywhere, from perfumery stores to supermarkets. It is of course a lot cheaper as it is made of regular wood mix soaked in fragrances or oils.
Home Décor and Utensils
- Mother of Pearl Jewelry Boxes: Since the ancient times, Egyptian artisans were famous for their wood crafts, ranging from house furniture to large ships. One the most well-known objects, made until now in the same unbeatable quality is “Mother of Pearl” decorated Jewelry boxes. Owning this piece of Egyptian art is a veritable acquisition of a treasure that can be handed down from mother to daughter and a generation to another.
- Metal Handicrafts: After paying a visit to the Egyptian History Museum, you will find out just how much Egyptians used silver, gold, copper, and iron to produce fabulous jewelry, decorated with gemstones. Metals like copper & silver were always present in kitchenware and utensils.
- Pottery and Ceramics: Since the ancient pre-dynastic period, Egyptian artisans have been creating high-quality pottery mainly for functional reasons like perfume bottles, wine vases, cups and dishes. Until today, Egypt is gifted with highly skilled potters, producing almost the same pottery shapes as their predecessors from the times of Pharaohs, used for utilitarian tasks in homes and outdoors decoration.
Food and Drink
Egyptian cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors and traditions, with desserts playing a significant role in everyday life.
- Pastries: Time to indulge your senses with the sweet taste of the East? Baklava will get you addicted, while the Saraya pie is believed to connect the loved ones together. In the Egyptian culture, dessert is an important part of everyday meal, although it is usually served at lunch time, accompanied by red tea. It is customary to bring desserts when visiting each other houses. Tradition says that when a guy proposes marriage, his family should bring along some sweets and offer them to the girl's family.
Papyrus: Ancient Paper and Modern Art
Papyrus, the world's first paper, is a unique Egyptian product with a rich history and continued relevance in art and culture.
- Papyrus Art: Explore the past via this purely-Egyptian paper, made of Papyrus plants cultivated in the river Nile's delta. Egyptians kept their secrets and stories in writings and paintings on this paper, which is largely credited for their exceptional survival throughout the centuries gone by. The papyrus-making process was invented thousands of years ago and disappeared for centuries until rediscovered again by egyptologists during 1940s.
Educational Products
Products that help people to learn about the culture and history of ancient Egypt.
- Coloring Books: Perfect for homeschooling! This Ancient Egyptian Coloring Book is sure to inspire the creative artist in your life! With 16 beautiful pages of intricate Egyptian designs in 8 x 11" size, it's perfect for hours of creative joy.
- Booklets: Perfect for homeschooling! Learn about ancient Egypt and Egyptology with this exciting booklet. This illustrated booklet provides an introduction to the ancient Egyptian pyramids.
Other Products
- Gift Cards: Looking for the ideal present that suits every taste and occasion? Introducing the Discoveries Egyptian Imports Gift Card - your ticket to a world of endless possibilities!
When purchasing Egyptian products, keep in mind that many items are handmade and may have slight variations in color, size, and design. These variations add to the unique charm and authenticity of each piece.
** Don’t wait to place your order for the holidays! Egyptian artisans need 5-8 weeks to craft your pendant, and current delays in Egyptian customs may extend delivery times. **
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An Egyptian showing me how a PAPYRUS (Ancient Paper) is made. Unbelievable plant!
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