About the Jewelry Designs of The Ten Commandments (1956)
The 1956 epic film The Ten Commandments, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, is not only known for its sweeping storytelling and biblical grandeur, but also for its lavish costumes and elaborate jewelry designs that brought ancient Egypt to life on screen. The jewelry played a crucial role in defining the characters, especially the Egyptian royalty and nobility, reflecting both historical influences and Hollywood’s golden age of glamour.
Historical and Cinematic Fusion
The film’s jewelry was inspired by ancient Egyptian artifacts and motifs such as scarabs, lotuses, falcons, cobras, ankhs, and cartouches. These designs were researched and stylized to align with historical aesthetics while enhancing the theatrical flair needed for widescreen Technicolor cinematography.
Costume and Jewelry Designers
The costume design for The Ten Commandments was led by Edith Head, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated costume designers, in collaboration with Ralph Jester and John Jensen. The jewelry was custom-made to complement the rich fabrics, headdresses, and ornate ensembles. Though the individual jewelry designers are not always credited, artisans and prop specialists worked closely with the costume department to create bold, dramatic pieces using gold plating, colored glass, beads, and semi-precious stones to evoke the opulence of the pharaohs.
Iconic Pieces and Symbolism
Nefretiri (played by Anne Baxter) wore elaborate collar necklaces, cuffs, and earrings, often featuring motifs of power and femininity like the vulture goddess Nekhbet.
Rameses (Yul Brynner) adorned broad gold collars and pectorals symbolizing strength and divine authority.
Moses (Charlton Heston), as Prince of Egypt, also wore Egyptian regalia early in the film before shedding worldly riches in favor of a humble, spiritual life—reflected in his costume and jewelry transition.
Cultural Impact
The jewelry designs from The Ten Commandments influenced fashion and costume jewelry trends in the late 1950s and beyond. The film’s success and visual splendor helped popularize “Egyptian Revival” styles in American fashion and decor.
These iconic jewelry pieces remain a testament to the film’s grandeur and its meticulous attention to detail, contributing to The Ten Commandments’ lasting legacy as one of Hollywood’s most visually stunning biblical epics.
Yul Brynner and Anne Baxter, ‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956)
Anne Baxter on the set of The Ten Commandments, 1956
Debra Paget in “The Ten Commandments”
Edith Head – Costume Designer – 10 Commandements – 1956 – Cedric Hardwick
