News — Vendor Spotlight

Egyptian inlay art is one of the most exquisite forms of craftsmanship, deeply rooted in the country’s rich artistic heritage. From ancient times to today, Egyptian artisans have mastered the delicate art of inlaying wood, creating stunning decorative pieces that continue to captivate admirers worldwide. Among the most treasured items showcasing this craft are wooden boxes adorned with intricate patterns and mother-of-pearl.Inlay work in Egypt dates back thousands of years, with origins tracing to the Pharaonic period. The ancient Egyptians were skilled in woodworking, and their furniture, chests, and decorative boxes often featured elaborate inlays made from ivory, precious stones,...

Our polymer statues are individually hand-made. They are created through a meticulous process that combines artistry and technical skills.  The mold for the statues is made from silicone. The artist mixes the liquid polymer and carefully pours it into the mold. It cures in the mold for several minutes and can then be removed. They then use sanding tools to refine the shape, add details, and smooth the surface. To remove any debris and further smooth the surface they clean the statue before painting.  Once the surface is ready, the statue gets a hand-painted finish. The statue is polished and...

In ancient Egypt, scarab amulets were commonly worn by both the living and the deceased as protective talismans. Some scarabs were inscribed and wrapped with the mummy. They were typically made of stone, ceramic or other materials, and could be worn as jewelry or attached to clothing. Today, scarab artisans commonly use soapstone to create scarab beads. When we were recently in Egypt, we sat with our friend and scarab artist, Mahmoud. He walked us through the steps he takes to make scarab beads for our company. He starts by making the oval shapes from raw soapstone. Once the basic shape...

Our Luxor Vendor We have been buying our hand-carved scarabs, alabaster and other items in stone and ceramics from the Matani family in the village of el-Gourna, across the Nile from Luxor.  This wonderful family has been involved in making replicas of ancient statues for as many generations as can be remembered.  The patriarch is named Mahmoud, one of the kindest, gentle vendors we have ever known. Mahmoud's home was originally made from sun-dried mud bricks, as were most homes in Luxor for countless centuries. When my parents, wife and I were on a buying trip in the mid 1990's there was...

Our owner Steve Collins, traveled to Cairo in 1979 to tour the Middle East with his college friend David. In the 3 month trip, they bought hand-crafts and jewelry along the way with the hopes of bringing their treasures back home to sell them and help pay for their trip.  Now, more than 40 years later, Steve is still at it!  He lives in the US, but he spends a good part of his year traveling to Egypt to find new treasures. Over the years, he has made relationships with artisans in Egypt that are as close as family.  Steve...