DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4670#0059
GEOMETRICAL DECORATION 49
A he circle, however, never became of im-
portance, probably because it was too stiff
and mechanical for the Egyptian, who de-
lighted in the waving spiral patterns and
the unlimited variety of lotus develop-
ments. It is remarkable that there is not
a single example of the circle divided into
six, or with six segmental arms, which is
so common a motive in Assyria and Syria,
and which results so readily from stepping
the radius around the circle. This seems
to show that the Egyptian did not use
compasses at any time, but always worked
with a string and points. The absence of
a simple and self-evident motive like the
sixth of the circle is almost more striking
than a peculiar motive being present.
A he circle, however, never became of im-
portance, probably because it was too stiff
and mechanical for the Egyptian, who de-
lighted in the waving spiral patterns and
the unlimited variety of lotus develop-
ments. It is remarkable that there is not
a single example of the circle divided into
six, or with six segmental arms, which is
so common a motive in Assyria and Syria,
and which results so readily from stepping
the radius around the circle. This seems
to show that the Egyptian did not use
compasses at any time, but always worked
with a string and points. The absence of
a simple and self-evident motive like the
sixth of the circle is almost more striking
than a peculiar motive being present.