Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in EgyptMaspero, G. (Gaston)
History
Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt
Maspero, G. (Gaston)
Art -- Egypt; Egypt -- Antiquities
The figures and hieroglyphs are cut out in solid gold, delicately engraved
with the burin, and stand in relief upon a ground-surface filled in with
pieces of blue paste and lapis lazuli artistically cut. A bracelet of more
complicated workmanship, though of inferior execution, was found on the
wrist of the queen (fig. 300). It is of massive gold, and consists of three
parallel bands set with turquoises. On the front a vulture is represented
with outspread wings, the feathers composed of green enamel, lapis lazuli,
and carnelian, set in "cloisons" of gold. The hair of the mummy was drawn
through a massive gold diadem, scarcely as large as a bracelet. The name of
Ahmes is incrusted in blue paste upon an oblong plaque in the centre,
flanked at each side by two little sphinxes which seem as if in the act of
keeping watch over the inscription (fig. 301). Round her neck was a large
flexible gold chain, finished at each end by a goose's head reversed. These
heads could be linked one in the other, when the chain needed to be
fastened. The scarabaeus pendant to this chain is incrusted upon the
shoulder and wing-sheaths with blue glass paste rayed with gold, the legs
and body being in massive gold. The royal _parure_ was completed by a large
collar of the kind known as the _Ûsekh_ (fig. 302). It is finished at each
end with a golden hawk's head inlaid with blue enamel, and consists of rows
of scrolls, four-petalled fleurettes, hawks, vultures, winged uraei,
crouching jackals, and figures of antelopes pursued by tigers. The whole of
these ornaments are of gold _repoussé_ work, and they were sewn upon the
royal winding sheet by means of a small ring soldered to the back of each.
Upon the breast, below this collar, hung a square jewel of the kind known
as "pectoral ornaments" (fig. 303). The general form is that of a naos, or
shrine. Ahmes stands upright in a papyrus-bark, between Amen and Ra, who
pour the water of purification upon his head and body. Two hawks hover to
right and left of the king, above the heads of the gods. The figures are
outlined in _cloisons_ of gold, and these were filled in with little
plaques of precious stones and enamel, many of which have fallen out. The
effect of this piece is somewhat heavy, and if considered apart from the
rest of the _parure_, its purpose might seem somewhat obscure. In order to
form a correct judgment, we have, however, to remember in what fashion the
women of ancient Egypt were clad. They wore a kind of smock of semi-
transparent material, which came very little higher than the waist. The
chest and bosom, neck and shoulders, were bare; and the one garment was
kept in place by only a slender pair of braces. The rich clothed these
uncovered parts with jewellery. The Ûsekh collar half hid the shoulders and
chest. The pectoral masked the hollow between the breasts. Sometimes even
the breasts were covered with two golden cups, either painted or enamelled.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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