Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 2.djvu/110

 88 A History of Art in Ancient Egypt. condition, in a pavilion dating from the fifth dynasty (Figs. 60 and 61). It there occurs, as will be seen by referring to our illustrations, as the roughly blocked-out head of a cow. In connection with the last two bas-reliefs, we must call attention to the fact that the structures from which they were imitated must have been erected in some kind of metal. Their forms are incon- sistent with the use of any other material. The way in which the capital is connected with the member to which it acts as support, in Fig. 59, and the open-work of the architrave in Fig. 61, are especially suggestive. In the latter bas-relief the figures intro- duced are evidently behind a grille, and the whole structure is expressive of metal-work. rriTTW^^ P'iG. 60. — Bas-relief from the 5th dynasty ; from Lepsius. ill Fid. 61. — Details of the columns. We suspect that the pavilion shown in Fig. 56 was also of metal, which seems to have played an important part in all that hght form of architecture with which we make acquaintance in the sepulchral decorations. This is very clearly seen in the examples of painted columns, which we borrow from Prisse (Figs. 62 — 65). They present forms which could only have been compassed by the use of some metal like bronze. If the use of metal be admitted, we have no difficulty in accounting for the playful and slender grace found in some of these columns, and the ample tufted capitals of others. The natural tendency in painted decorations of this kind to exaggerate the characteristics of their models must not, however, be overlooked. Not being compelled to apportion the strength of supports to the weight which they have to carry,