Their representations of lions always have an expression of dignity, though more mild in aspect than the Assyrian lion in art (Fig. 138). [Illustration: Fig. 132.—Antelope and Papyrus. (P. & C.)] Pottery, glass, and earthenware were manufactured in Egypt from the earliest times. The country was well supplied with good potter’s clay; bricks were made and dried in the sun, not burned, and were used very much in building. The common pottery was unglazed, and their decorated pottery was in glazed earthenware, but not so highly decorated as many other objects of industrial art. Fig. 139 is a common pitcher of fairly good form, in red earth. The decoration on the enamelled earthenware dish (Fig. 140) is composed of bouquets of lotus flowers; and that on the larger basin or bowl is a design of lotus and mystic signs (Fig. 141). The three objects are in the British Museum. [Illustration: Fig. 133.—Netting Birds; from a Tomb. (P. & C.)] [Illustration: Fig. 134.—Quadruped with Head of a Bird. (P. & C.)] Rosettes and plaques have been found enamelled in colours, and probably used for floor or wall tiles. The doorway to the stepped pyramid at Sakkarah is decorated with rows of convex-shaped rectangular plaques of enamelled earthenware of a greenish-blue glaze. Some are black in colour. [Illustration: Fig. 135.—Sphinx or Man-Headed Lion, in Black Granite, from Tanis. (P. & C.)] The Egyptians were particularly skilful in glass making, but they never produced quite a clear glass; it was always slightly opaque, but generally bright and rich in colour. Vases, cups, pateræ, statuettes, necklaces, goblets, bracelets, and, above all, enormous quantities of beads, which they used to make a network of to cover their dead. Great quantities of glass objects were exported in trade with the Phœnicians. [Illustration: Fig. 136.—Ram, or Kriosphinx, from Karnak. (P. & C.)] The Venetians during the Middle Ages imported soda in large quantities from Alexandria, for purposes of glass making, the soda of Egypt being famed for this purpose, as it was prepared from the many marsh-loving plants that grew luxuriantly in the Delta. [Illustration: Fig. 137.—Sphinx with Human Hands; Bas-Relief from Prisse. (P. & C.)] [Illustration: Fig. 138.—Lion from a Theban Bas-Relief. (P. & C.)] [Illustration: Fig. 139.—Pitcher of Red Earth, British Museum. (P. & C.)] [Illustration: Fig. 140.—Enamelled Earthenware Dish, British Museum. (P. & C.)] [Illustration: Fig. 141.—Enamelled Earthenware Bowl, British Museum. (P. & C.)]