EGI

356

EGY

from the peculiar shape of the capital; in this case it isusually ornamented with hieroglyphics or otherwise.

We have here referred to some few of the specimens ofcapitals which remain, and but a few, for there is a greatvariety, several of which may frequently be found in thesame building ; and even in the same hall, or other part of abuilding, may be seen capitals of different design though ofthe same general appearance, which circumstance is similarto that observable in Gothic buildings. The proportions varyin like manner ; they seem to have had no settled rule as todesign or proportion, which were purely matters of individualtaste. The arrangement was generally picnostyle, especiallyin the covered halls, where they had to support large massesof stone, which were used for roofing.

The design for the entablature, on the contrary, seems tohave been unalterable, for with the exception of some littlediversity in the ornamentation, they are universally of thesame form and character, and this is the case, however muchbuildings may differ as regards their columns. It comprisestwo parts only, the epistylium and the cornice, the former ofwhich was flush with the walls underneath at each end ofthe colonnade, answering to the Greek antse, with whichlikewise they are enclosed within a bold torus-moulding, andpresent a similar appearance to the architrave of a door,being returned at the sides. The torus-moulding is amarked feature in Egyptian buildings, running up everyangle of the building, and then returning on both sides under-neath the cornice. The architrave is frequently plain, some-times covered with hieroglyphics, but most frequently has awinged globe over the entrance in the centre, which is sup-posed to have been symbolical of the deity.

The cornice is a very prominent feature in this style, andis introduced as a crowning or finish in every situation, withor without the architrave : it is seen at the entrance of thetemple, over the doorway and propylaea; within, over thecolonnade and portico; and on the exterior, crowning thewhole length of wall. It consists of but little more than adeep cove, but produces a great and beneficial effect by thebold shadow which it casts. The surface is divided intopanels by an ornament similar to the Doric triglyph, or aband of three or more reeds placed side by side, with gene-rally a narrow interval between each two ; when, however,the band is composed of a greater number of reeds, they areplaced close together. The metopes or panels are filled upwith some kind of ornamentation. This formed the termina-tion of the building, for the roof being flat, there was no suchthing as the pediment, the finishing line was horizontal.

Let- us return for a few moments to the column, the sim-plest form of which appears in an example at Beni-hassam, asfigured by Mr. Barry, and in reference to which he says:

“ The prototype would appear to have consisted of fourlarge reeds of the Nile , placed upon an angular block, andtied together by cords near the top, forming thereby thecapital. Small sticks are introduced between the reeds at theplace of ligature, to render the figure of a more circular form,and afford the means of more firmly tying the wholetogether. The top is crowned by a square abacus, and thereeds being thereby confined, the effect of any incumbentweight upon them would be to produce the form.”

A column similar to the above, but in a more forward stateof development, is to be seen at the British Museum ; itconsists of double the number of reeds, placed together in thesame manner, with similar base and abacus. But besides thedifference as to number, there is in this example anothervariation in the method of joining shaft and base, the reedsin this case being turned under so as to meet the base in acurve, a form frequently adapted in more elaborate specimens.

The next change seems to have been the introdu ^ gg( jghorizontal bands, which became requisite, as _ . R 9 oto eincreased in number, to hold them firmly together » jb®cases we find several bands, of one, two, or more re ® e0 tb enext step was to leave one or more of the spaces bet tillbands plain, and the next to cover it with hieroglyP^ rp e a-at last we find all the divisions of this description, a9 0 of 9tyris. The progress of the capital would seem to have ga &elike nature ; at first we find them composed ot 3e pa'

materials as the shaft, with only a band to mark ^ jg,

ration, and a flat square abacus at the top. '-The c. ToV<however, of a somewhat different contour, bulging ° uthe lower end or ligature. In the second exampl e fl ndadduced, the same form is preserved, but the . ca ^-iypbi c3 ’abacus, as well as the shaft, are covered withThe next alteration would be similar to what tookthe case of the shaft; the capitals were divided n° r1 ^ ^itbinto bands, as at Latopolis, and these again ornamenhieroglyphics as at Kournou. . <jiff er '

The bell-and-vase-shaped capitals are of an e r a e devel°P'ent description, and cannot be said to have been eD tirement of the above ; they must have arisen from a “ g j g ts °*new adaptation of natural forms ; while the above a iidmere reeds, the new form was an imitation ot ^ 0 n j o tu9j,flowers belonging to that climate—the palm, t ; 0 n 0and the papyrus. The outline as well as the dec ta gte,this kind of capital, deserves the highest praise t0 ^ er jty an“combining as it does the admirable properties ot se j e g otgrace, and will bear comparison with the best e ^ e ai'S

classic design, not excepting the Corinthian, to wm^ u®a very remarkable resemblance, so much so ns ggyp 1reason to believe that the Romans were indebte eC irtie’ 13for the origin of their most admired order. ^ on }? u( je to tb®bear a slight resemblance to the Ionic ; we may a cer ta' n 'at Latopolis, but this is not so obvious, although v0 iute®have the upper part of the Ionic capital wit

repeated as a minor decoration.

The square capitals, again, with a

cb

of tl,e

^ „ s „.„, ...... .. representation ^ ^

head of Isis or other deity on its four sides, ^ 0 iistO\class, which seems to have had its origin in s Y g j t j oC vvh'^at any rate in the mysteries of religion; a suppo acc0 iup ilUlis in some measure confirmed by the usuament of a temple. _ D t of a h

There are some columns to be seen in RSYPj t0 wh 1 ^different description to any we have noticed, 8 -ended ,Mr. Barry has called attention in a note ‘f m a y fMr. Gwilt’s edition of Chambers; they e 0OJl side re v. [1 gresemblance to the Grecian Doric , and aie or( j er .earlier date than any existing specimen of 4 l! J umn g in atl , )0illustration represents a portico of two fluted co ^ a nd

the flutes of which are shallow, and twenty in nu ^ c ol ulD lV a .capital consists of an abacus only; the height; o £ gun & atabout 5-g- diameters. Another striking example! J3® r ulaptchie, on the borders of the Nile , in which, s y tv .“ The abacus is square, and 11 inches thick, aI1 d 3. .has a trifling diminution, is 7 feet 8 inches ng ^ jivi 31 . lt2 inches diameter. The circumference is i ot j ier , sX e gwhereof 4, which are at right angles to ea< V ^ ; n tei' v ' eIJfaces covered with hieroglyphics, and the o »ones are sunk into flat elliptical flutes £-inc) jCubi®’Another example is to be seen at Ama a^ 0 the r >' V „ u clihere we have two different kinds adjoining ^ r t 04 ; e rSthrow some light upon the origin and P g q U are P B dcolumns. In this case the columns are ^ abs ca , aswith a slight projection at top and bottom, j eS crib e ’ a tbase, not very different from those alrea / . the P

placed behind the Caryatid figures at Ipsam