Egyptian metalwork attained its artistic height during the Middle Kingdom, i.e. 2000 to 1650 B.C. Yet it was during the New Empire, from 1580 to 1085 B.C., with its expeditions to extract metals from the eastern desert and Nubia, that artisan jewellers in the Nile Valley considerably developed their art, endowing it with its characteristic colours.
Bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, pins, belt buckles and amulets were then made of gold and silver, inlaid with precious stones such as lapis-lazuli, turquoise, cornelian and amethyst.
As a symbol of social status and an element of finery, jewellery was an important part of Egyptians' dress. As such, women, men and children wore it. Divine statues and sacred animals were decked out in jewellery. Typical motifs include images of gods, hieroglyphic symbols, animals and plants, which played a role in the Egyptian creation myth.
