DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18826#0285
iect. ii.] 65
PLATE XIX.
*
egyptian pillars/
FROM noticing parts of columns, we proceed
now to notice the column at length; and there-
fore have selected two instances, both of which
shew that the design of the bases we noticed in
Plate XV. must not be considered as general in
Egypt 5 but, that however they might be adopted
when to ornament a rock, yet when support was
requisite, a firmer base was employed: In fact, the
simplicity of these bases seems to date at a very
early period, and before that part of the column
was much considered in respect of ornament. As
to the shaft of the column; in one it is quite plain;
the other recalls the idea of those we have already
seen, composed of several small pillars united into
one; whereby the general resemblance of this pil-
lar is not very distant from some in later ages, de-
nominated Gothic : for if each of these smaller
pillars had a capital, the composition would be
almost exactly like some in our ancient churches.
As to the capitals of these pillars, they are greatly,
alike; the first is indeed very plain; the second is
more ornamented, but by no means equal to some
we have seen. The idea qf the numerous fillets in
the neck of the pillar, seems closely allied to that
of a number of cords whose office it is to bind the
composition together ; at least, to secure the steadi-
ness of the shaft. The first is one of the columns
of the portico of the great temple, the other is
one of the columns of the vestibule of the great
temple, at Luxor, the ancient Thebes, in Egypt.
Vol III. Edit.l. K - PLATE
i
PLATE XIX.
*
egyptian pillars/
FROM noticing parts of columns, we proceed
now to notice the column at length; and there-
fore have selected two instances, both of which
shew that the design of the bases we noticed in
Plate XV. must not be considered as general in
Egypt 5 but, that however they might be adopted
when to ornament a rock, yet when support was
requisite, a firmer base was employed: In fact, the
simplicity of these bases seems to date at a very
early period, and before that part of the column
was much considered in respect of ornament. As
to the shaft of the column; in one it is quite plain;
the other recalls the idea of those we have already
seen, composed of several small pillars united into
one; whereby the general resemblance of this pil-
lar is not very distant from some in later ages, de-
nominated Gothic : for if each of these smaller
pillars had a capital, the composition would be
almost exactly like some in our ancient churches.
As to the capitals of these pillars, they are greatly,
alike; the first is indeed very plain; the second is
more ornamented, but by no means equal to some
we have seen. The idea qf the numerous fillets in
the neck of the pillar, seems closely allied to that
of a number of cords whose office it is to bind the
composition together ; at least, to secure the steadi-
ness of the shaft. The first is one of the columns
of the portico of the great temple, the other is
one of the columns of the vestibule of the great
temple, at Luxor, the ancient Thebes, in Egypt.
Vol III. Edit.l. K - PLATE
i