Jar

Unlike faience, glass was a foreign import to Egypt, having arrived from western Asia shortly before 1500 B.C.E. The first Egyptian glassmakers relied on molds, limiting production to small objects such as beads and amulets. Later craftsmen perfected techniques that allowed for large, complex pieces.

Some of the finest works of New Kingdom glass were made during the reign of Akhenaten, perhaps under the inspiration of Asiatic glassmakers living in Egypt. Vessels such as this example were decorated with glass threads; using a thin stick before the vessel had dried, the artisan created ornate, rippled designs.