DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4862#0099
Makers of
beads and
bead-work
The manu-
facture of
stone vases
THE ESTATES AND WORKSHOPS OF AMON
dummy, held fast along with the other to ensure a better grip. In other
representations the points range up to five, as many handles being
grasped in the hand. They are driven by the string of a long bow which,
to meet the necessities of sculpture, is shown here in a back view, and
therefore as straight and hiding the string from view. It is quite clearly
a bow in all painted examples (Plate XXVII).
The workman beyond this pair seems to be performing some deli-
cate operation on a plate of metal or a lump of precious stone.
We come finally to the makers of stone vases—one of the oldest
of industries. The results attained in earliest historic times were never
surpassed and rarely, if ever, reached again. There was no reason
therefore to supplant the very inadequate-looking tool. This brace con-
sisted of a long shaft, made perhaps by this time of metal, with a bent
crank at the top and a fork at the bottom. In the latter a short bit is
set with two cutting edges; turning with the rod, but in a horizontal
plane. The rod has to be of some length in order that it may reach to
the bottom of a vase and hence it is made stiffer by an enlargement
towards the top. Above this it is passed through a block of stone or
metal, to give it momentum when turned. The upper end of the rod is
bent at a slight angle to serve as a crank. By this means it is turned in
one hand by the other, and the cutting bar, as it revolves, scoops out a
cylinder of the interior. The removal of the remaining material must
have called for other adjustments or tools (Plate XXVII). The vases
actually under manufacture, as well as those ranged above, show familiar
types, which are often found by excavators, generally in alabaster but
sometimes also in harder stones. They are usually of small dimensions,
being mostly used to contain eye-paint and salves.1
'That on the left is a common type of kohl pot and is not often more than 10 or 12 cm. high. The
tapering ointment jar which stands next to it is often not greatly higher, but may attain considerable dimen-
sions; though none of these vases would be expected to reach a foot in height, they might, if intended for
royal or temple service, be of pretentious size. The oval jar in the hands of the first artisan seems to have
been of the shape shown above on the right. For a good parallel, see Quibell, Musee Egyptien, III, PL XXII.
76
beads and
bead-work
The manu-
facture of
stone vases
THE ESTATES AND WORKSHOPS OF AMON
dummy, held fast along with the other to ensure a better grip. In other
representations the points range up to five, as many handles being
grasped in the hand. They are driven by the string of a long bow which,
to meet the necessities of sculpture, is shown here in a back view, and
therefore as straight and hiding the string from view. It is quite clearly
a bow in all painted examples (Plate XXVII).
The workman beyond this pair seems to be performing some deli-
cate operation on a plate of metal or a lump of precious stone.
We come finally to the makers of stone vases—one of the oldest
of industries. The results attained in earliest historic times were never
surpassed and rarely, if ever, reached again. There was no reason
therefore to supplant the very inadequate-looking tool. This brace con-
sisted of a long shaft, made perhaps by this time of metal, with a bent
crank at the top and a fork at the bottom. In the latter a short bit is
set with two cutting edges; turning with the rod, but in a horizontal
plane. The rod has to be of some length in order that it may reach to
the bottom of a vase and hence it is made stiffer by an enlargement
towards the top. Above this it is passed through a block of stone or
metal, to give it momentum when turned. The upper end of the rod is
bent at a slight angle to serve as a crank. By this means it is turned in
one hand by the other, and the cutting bar, as it revolves, scoops out a
cylinder of the interior. The removal of the remaining material must
have called for other adjustments or tools (Plate XXVII). The vases
actually under manufacture, as well as those ranged above, show familiar
types, which are often found by excavators, generally in alabaster but
sometimes also in harder stones. They are usually of small dimensions,
being mostly used to contain eye-paint and salves.1
'That on the left is a common type of kohl pot and is not often more than 10 or 12 cm. high. The
tapering ointment jar which stands next to it is often not greatly higher, but may attain considerable dimen-
sions; though none of these vases would be expected to reach a foot in height, they might, if intended for
royal or temple service, be of pretentious size. The oval jar in the hands of the first artisan seems to have
been of the shape shown above on the right. For a good parallel, see Quibell, Musee Egyptien, III, PL XXII.
76