DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0055
MATS.—CARPETS.—DUESSES. 39
of great people at Cairo, called Menoofee, from tlie town where
they are manufactured (woodcut 20).
Carpets, or rugs, also formed part of the occasional furniture
of a house, in cold weather. They were made of coloured woollen
thread, with various patterns, as at the present day in the East,
or of worsted thread worked with the needle upon linen; and
some were entirely of linen, with ^a, raised nap, or long flock,
formed of projecting loops of thread. The furniture of their
bed-rooms varied according to the wealth, or the choice, of in-
dividuals. Their beds were often laid on the ground, upon a
mat or carpet; and a wooden stool, precisely similar to that
now used in Ethiopia and some other countries, supported their
head.* The lofty bedstead was a mark of honour. It was
furnished with moveable steps for mounting upon it, as in a
European chamber ; and the funeral bier, on which the dead
reposed, was taken from this the choicest resting-place of the
body during life.
The dresses of the Egyptians varied slightly at different sea-
sons ; and in winter an outer woollen cloak was thrown over their
under garments, which were generally of linen; though cotton
might be worn on occasions unconnected with the ceremonies
of religion. For funeral purposes linen was always required ;
and every bandage of a mummy was of that material. Nor could
any one enter a temple, or be buried, in a woollen garment.
There was a variety in the form, and colour, as well as the
material of their dresses; and even in those of the higher and
lower classes, especially of the priests, whose robes of ceremony
had a peculiar character; but the under part of the dress was
much the same for all, except very poor people.t
Among the peculiarities of the Egyptian costume the most
See P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. p. 71.
+ See P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. p. 321 (woodcut).
of great people at Cairo, called Menoofee, from tlie town where
they are manufactured (woodcut 20).
Carpets, or rugs, also formed part of the occasional furniture
of a house, in cold weather. They were made of coloured woollen
thread, with various patterns, as at the present day in the East,
or of worsted thread worked with the needle upon linen; and
some were entirely of linen, with ^a, raised nap, or long flock,
formed of projecting loops of thread. The furniture of their
bed-rooms varied according to the wealth, or the choice, of in-
dividuals. Their beds were often laid on the ground, upon a
mat or carpet; and a wooden stool, precisely similar to that
now used in Ethiopia and some other countries, supported their
head.* The lofty bedstead was a mark of honour. It was
furnished with moveable steps for mounting upon it, as in a
European chamber ; and the funeral bier, on which the dead
reposed, was taken from this the choicest resting-place of the
body during life.
The dresses of the Egyptians varied slightly at different sea-
sons ; and in winter an outer woollen cloak was thrown over their
under garments, which were generally of linen; though cotton
might be worn on occasions unconnected with the ceremonies
of religion. For funeral purposes linen was always required ;
and every bandage of a mummy was of that material. Nor could
any one enter a temple, or be buried, in a woollen garment.
There was a variety in the form, and colour, as well as the
material of their dresses; and even in those of the higher and
lower classes, especially of the priests, whose robes of ceremony
had a peculiar character; but the under part of the dress was
much the same for all, except very poor people.t
Among the peculiarities of the Egyptian costume the most
See P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. p. 71.
+ See P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. p. 321 (woodcut).