SAEDNEWS: From the 18th Century to Today, Egypt Has Transformed the World of Gold and Jewelry
According to the History and Culture section of Saed News, few were as fortunate or wealthy as Queen Alexandra to possess an authentic piece of Egyptian jewelry. As global fascination with Egypt and all things linked to the Nile civilization and the pharaohs grew, so did the appetite for jewelry inspired by ancient Egypt. Europe’s major jewelry houses quickly moved to satisfy this demand.
This craze, later known as “Egyptomania,” began in 18th-century Europe and reached its peak after Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt.
In the decades that followed, Egypt became an inexhaustible source of inspiration. At the 1867 Paris Exposition, the jewelry houses of Boucheron, Mellerio, and Bougranet showcased collections inspired by ancient Egypt. Prominent jewelers such as Giuliano, Castellani, and Fontana also joined the movement, creating pieces that incorporated Egyptian scripts and symbols alongside other classical revival styles. Augusto Castellani noted in 1862 that the scarcity of authentic scarab beetles led jewelers to craft replicas resembling antique originals.
In the 20th century, new archaeological discoveries once again placed Egypt at the center of global attention. The craze reached its height in 1922 with Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, turning Egyptomania into a worldwide obsession.
Prestigious jewelry houses like Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier each presented their own interpretation of “Egyptian style.” Tiffany created dazzling pieces using colored glass resembling sacred scarabs and turquoise faience. Van Cleef & Arpels, during the Art Deco period, incorporated diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and black onyx to recreate scenes of the Nile and the pyramids.
