Egyptian Smalt

Description

Egyptian Smalt is a historic blue pigment made by finely grinding a cobalt-containing glass, traditionally fused from silica, alkali, and cobalt-bearing minerals such as asbolite or cobaltite. This early form of smalt, used as far back as the 18th Dynasty in Egypt, contains a lower concentration of cobalt than later European smalts, giving it a more muted, smoky blue-gray tone with soft lavender or violet undertones depending on the grind.

Unlike modern synthetic blues, Egyptian Smalt has a subtle translucency and crystalline texture that creates luminous, irregular washes and textured brushwork. It is best suited to fresco, egg tempera, and water-based techniques where its natural texture and granulation can be appreciated. When used in oil, smalt tends to lose saturation over time, and thus it is valued primarily for its historical and conservation uses rather than modern permanence.

History

Egyptian Smalt represents one of the earliest known uses of cobalt glass as a coloring agent, predating European smalt by more than a millennium. Fragments of cobalt-blue glass and faience have been found in New Kingdom tombs and workshops at Amarna and Thebes, where it was used in jewelry, inlays, vessels, and architectural decoration.

Though not originally used as a pigment for painting in its earliest forms, this glassy blue was later ground and applied as a pigment by both Egyptian and Near Eastern artists, and was the likely predecessor to smalt as used in 16th-century European painting. Renaissance smalt, with its higher cobalt concentration and deeper color, became widespread as a more affordable alternative to ultramarine. The earlier Egyptian version, by contrast, has a softer, greyer hue and retains a special place in pigment history for its innovation and ancient origins.

Egyptian Smalt is ideal for artists interested in historical reconstruction, archaeological replication, or early palette building with mineral pigments.

Health and Safety

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not consume.

Not for cosmetic or food usage.

Do not spray apply.

Avoid inhaling pigment dust.

Wear a NIOSH-certified respirator when handling dry pigment.

Use gloves and protective clothing.

Work in a well-ventilated area.

Wash hands after handling.

This product may contain cobalt compounds or other heavy metals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

Warnings and bottle information are abbreviated.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Cobalt glass pigment from fused silica, alkali, and cobalt-bearing minerals

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Tempera, Fresco, Acrylic, Oil (with caution)

Lightfastness: Moderate in aqueous media, Poor in oil

Opacity: Semi-transparent with natural granulation

Other Names: Ancient Cobalt Blue, Smalt (Egyptian type), Cobalt Glass Blue

Color Index Code: PB32 (historical classification; varies by cobalt content)