Egyptian Handmade Glass

Glass was an invention of the Ancient Egyptians. Modern Egyptian glass designs are exotic, colorful, intricately patterned and an excellent value for the money. Great as souvenirs, house accessories or gifts, glassware can be found in numerous shops around the Red Sea.

History of Glass
Glass was produced on a large scale in Egypt very early on. Ornaments, figures and jars made from glass have been found in various ancient tombs. The earliest piece discovered is a bead-bearing cartouche of Amen-Hotep 1, currently on display at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which dates back to the 8th dynasty.

Flinders-Petrie discovered the remains of a glass furnace at Tel El Amana, which has been dated to 1400 BC. There they made rods, beads, jars and other figures.

Glass was usually of the soda-lime variety often colored and beautifully patterned. There was even a large trade in the export of artificial pearls made from glass.

Glass in Modern Egypt
Handmade glass is still a big industry in Egypt and glassware products are extremely popular with both locals and tourists. Factories in Cairo take great pride in their craft and offer tours where you can watch the glass being blown.

The range of glass items available is quite extensive, but perfume bottles are definitely the most common item that you will find. They range from the exquisite to the extraordinary! You will also come across wine glasses, champagne flutes, goblets, tea sets, candlesticks, lamps and ornaments.

Where to Find Glassware
If you are looking for perfumes bottles, you will have no trouble spotting the stores selling those wares; the windows will be glinting with rows and rows of sparkling, colored perfume bottles. If you have the time you might like to try about 150 different perfumes and drink a lot of tea while you're there! If you are looking for glass housewares such as glasses, vases, ashtrays or even lights you will be able to spot those stores by the displays in the window.

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