In later ages of the Saitic and Greek times the chequer is a common resource, but is seldom treated with originality or grace, and we do not find any new departure or advance in the mechanical execution of the later examples. One slight novelty was the alternation of whole and divided squares of colour, under Claudius. Somewhat analogous are the net-work patterns. They seem to be probably derived from stitch-pattern over dresses. Though found in the XIIth dynasty they are not usual until the XVIIIth dynasty, and they are generally on the dresses of goddesses. A simple example is on a horse-cloth of Ramesside age, which shows that these can hardly represent long beads, but rather stitching or quilting. A more elaborate form is on the dress of Bast in the tomb of Seti I., in hexagons. [Illustration: 84.—R.S. lxxxii.] [Illustration: 85.—C.M. ccxlii. cccx.] But this design rose to importance when it was introduced as an architectural element in the decoration of columns at Tell el Amarna. There it is coloured yellow, and the spaces are alternate red and blue. [Illustration: Fig. 86.] The Egyptians never used circles freely in decoration; no examples are known before the XVIIIth dynasty, and but few then. [Illustration: 87.—P. 79.] [Illustration: 88.—P. 84.] [Illustration: 89.—P. 86.] The intersecting circles, forming a kind of net-work, are found in the XVIIIth dynasty in blue on a yellow ground; and the same occurs in black on blue and red ground, in later times (L.D. I. 41). Besides the rosettes other patterns were introduced into the spaces, which were coloured red and green alternately. But the most beautiful type was with contiguous circles not intersecting, and each containing four lotus flowers. The circle, however, never became of importance, probably because it was too stiff and mechanical for the Egyptian, who delighted in the waving spiral patterns and the unlimited variety of lotus developments. It is remarkable that there is not a single example of the circle divided into six, or with six segmental arms, which is so common a motive in Assyria and Syria, and which results so readily from stepping the radius around the circle. This seems to show that the Egyptian did not use compasses at any time, but always worked with a string and points. The absence of a simple and self-evident motive like the sixth of the circle is almost more striking than a peculiar motive being present. CHAPTER III _NATURAL DECORATION_ Though it might be supposed that the imitation of natural forms would be the earliest form of decoration, yet this is not the case. On the contrary, we find the geometrical forms of wave lines, and chequers copied from weaving, and the varieties of the spiral, were the first ornaments of importance in Egypt; while the natural forms of feathers and flowers were not generally imitated till a later time.