84 EGYPTIAN DECORATIVE ART

A small example of such
we have in London, with the
details all inlaid in gold. These
pectorals were also represented

161.—P. Mon. , ,

xiix. 2. on the later vases as a com-
plete whole.

Turning- now to the men and animals shown
in decoration, in the period of the Empire we
constantly see figures of captives introduced
to emphasise the power of the king". These
first appear in the great change which over-
came Egyptian art consequent upon the

Asiatic conquests. Before Tahutmes III. the
character and style of work continually recalls
that of the Xllth dynasty; but within one or
two generations a profound difference changed
for ever the nature of the art, and this is
reflected in the national handwriting, which