DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4665#0038
TZ _u- .-
28
EL ARABAH.
CHAPTER IV.—THE USES OF MATERIALS.
[As illustrated by objects found in this excavation only.]
[Alabaster, Amethyst, Basalt, Blue Marble, Breccia, Carnelian, Electrum, Garnet, Glazed Ball Beads, Glass, Gold, Haematite, Iron, Ivory, Jasper,
Lapis Lazuli, Limestone, Obsidian, Sandstone, Serpentine, Silver, Terracotta.]
Alabaster is found freely used for small objects,
such as kohl pots and the like, both in the Xllth and
in the XVIIIth dynasty. There are, however, some
forms of vessels which, though analogous, have
features characteristic of each period separately, as
well as others which are peculiar to one period only.
On PL. I, for instance, in group 30, is a polished vase
of this material, with flat circular bottom, upright,
and curving inwards slightly to the base; its rim
also is pronounced, and squarely moulded. Another
example was found in the tombs numbered 3. It
occurs in miniature also in the group 282 on PL. IV,
while its form appears again in limestone, and in
serpentine in group 45 of the frontispiece. Its
representatives in the XVIIIth dynasty are shown on
Pls. XVII and XVIII. Their differences are well
marked ; it might be said there is a falling away
from the artistic effect of the earlier forms. In the
example of group 255 the curve of the base reappears
almost in the form of a plinth ; the outline narrows
straightly without curving ; the surface is lustreless,
and the vessel not worked to the same fineness as the
earlier example. In group 294, again, the lower
plinth has become more developed, and the form of
the vessel itself is more cylindrical, and the general
effect even heavier.
The globular vessels pictured in group 105 on
PL. Ill are of exceptional forms and of the finest
quality of stone. The site yielded no other objects
analogous to them. There is again a class of vessel
in alabaster which does not appear before the
XVIIIth dynasty. Its form possibly betrays some
Greek influence. It is characterised chiefly by the
presence of a moulded base or pedestal which sup-
ports the body. This may appear in an elemen-
tary form as a development of the smaller plinth,
as is the case in the two examples from group
17S on Pl. XIX; or it may take the more defined
appearance illustrated by the fragment in group 158
on Pl. XXI. In the latter case the cup or body is
broken away, but its form is not uncommon. The
cases on Pls. XVII and XIX, in which the form of a
prehistoric dish reappears in the XVIIIth dynasty,
have previously been noticed. Further examples of
unusual forms to which the stone was worked occur
on PL. XXIII, in the four alabaster canopic jars of
the XXIInd dynasty. What renders them more
noticeable is the different form of one of the set,
though there is no reason to suppose they were not
contemporary.
Amethyst.—No beads of this stone were found
of the XVIIIth dynasty, and the good specimens
were all of the Xllth. The beginning of its use was,
however, much older, dating back even to the
1st dynasty ; and it cannot be asserted that it is quite
unrepresented in the XVIIIth dynasty. But the
Xllth dynasty is unquestionably the period when
the most perfect examples were fashioned. Some
larger beads of the oval type are shown with group 45
on the first plate. The group 108 also contains
some specimens of the well finished globular form ;
but the long string of 192 beads in the group 30,
surpasses all others found in richness and purity of
colour and symmetry of cutting.
BASALT.—Only two examples of the use of this
stone were found, both from the same tomb,
number 45. The objects are pictured on PL. Ill, a
group of two figures and a statuette representing
Mut-sent seated.
Blue Marble.—The best examples of the use
of this stone again occur in the Xllth dynasty ;
indeed, its common use was almost limited to that
period. On Pl. IX are pictured the two best
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28
EL ARABAH.
CHAPTER IV.—THE USES OF MATERIALS.
[As illustrated by objects found in this excavation only.]
[Alabaster, Amethyst, Basalt, Blue Marble, Breccia, Carnelian, Electrum, Garnet, Glazed Ball Beads, Glass, Gold, Haematite, Iron, Ivory, Jasper,
Lapis Lazuli, Limestone, Obsidian, Sandstone, Serpentine, Silver, Terracotta.]
Alabaster is found freely used for small objects,
such as kohl pots and the like, both in the Xllth and
in the XVIIIth dynasty. There are, however, some
forms of vessels which, though analogous, have
features characteristic of each period separately, as
well as others which are peculiar to one period only.
On PL. I, for instance, in group 30, is a polished vase
of this material, with flat circular bottom, upright,
and curving inwards slightly to the base; its rim
also is pronounced, and squarely moulded. Another
example was found in the tombs numbered 3. It
occurs in miniature also in the group 282 on PL. IV,
while its form appears again in limestone, and in
serpentine in group 45 of the frontispiece. Its
representatives in the XVIIIth dynasty are shown on
Pls. XVII and XVIII. Their differences are well
marked ; it might be said there is a falling away
from the artistic effect of the earlier forms. In the
example of group 255 the curve of the base reappears
almost in the form of a plinth ; the outline narrows
straightly without curving ; the surface is lustreless,
and the vessel not worked to the same fineness as the
earlier example. In group 294, again, the lower
plinth has become more developed, and the form of
the vessel itself is more cylindrical, and the general
effect even heavier.
The globular vessels pictured in group 105 on
PL. Ill are of exceptional forms and of the finest
quality of stone. The site yielded no other objects
analogous to them. There is again a class of vessel
in alabaster which does not appear before the
XVIIIth dynasty. Its form possibly betrays some
Greek influence. It is characterised chiefly by the
presence of a moulded base or pedestal which sup-
ports the body. This may appear in an elemen-
tary form as a development of the smaller plinth,
as is the case in the two examples from group
17S on Pl. XIX; or it may take the more defined
appearance illustrated by the fragment in group 158
on Pl. XXI. In the latter case the cup or body is
broken away, but its form is not uncommon. The
cases on Pls. XVII and XIX, in which the form of a
prehistoric dish reappears in the XVIIIth dynasty,
have previously been noticed. Further examples of
unusual forms to which the stone was worked occur
on PL. XXIII, in the four alabaster canopic jars of
the XXIInd dynasty. What renders them more
noticeable is the different form of one of the set,
though there is no reason to suppose they were not
contemporary.
Amethyst.—No beads of this stone were found
of the XVIIIth dynasty, and the good specimens
were all of the Xllth. The beginning of its use was,
however, much older, dating back even to the
1st dynasty ; and it cannot be asserted that it is quite
unrepresented in the XVIIIth dynasty. But the
Xllth dynasty is unquestionably the period when
the most perfect examples were fashioned. Some
larger beads of the oval type are shown with group 45
on the first plate. The group 108 also contains
some specimens of the well finished globular form ;
but the long string of 192 beads in the group 30,
surpasses all others found in richness and purity of
colour and symmetry of cutting.
BASALT.—Only two examples of the use of this
stone were found, both from the same tomb,
number 45. The objects are pictured on PL. Ill, a
group of two figures and a statuette representing
Mut-sent seated.
Blue Marble.—The best examples of the use
of this stone again occur in the Xllth dynasty ;
indeed, its common use was almost limited to that
period. On Pl. IX are pictured the two best
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