Birch, Samuel   [Hrsg.]

Seite: 173
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tl{ VASES. 173

3 of name of Thothmes III. The uses of the vases were very various, for all

ljjin purposes of life, but those of the more precious and valuable substances seem

to have been chiefly employed for the purposes of the toilet. To mark the
^ name of the proprietor during life, and so ensure the security or identification

of the vases, the names and titles of persons were inscribed upon them,
and in some cases, when deposited with the dead in the tombs, dedications
and the names of the deceased were inscribed upon them. Hence the vases
not only offer interesting and valuable additions to our knowledge of the
social and domestic life of the Egyptians and the progress they had made
in the art of pottery and sculpture, but are also slight contributions to our
knowledge of the history of Egypt and the political condition of the country
under the Pharaohs. Although inferior in form and beauty to Greek art, and
never presenting the beautiful and interesting designs left behind by Greek
artists, and although the forms are not on the whole comparable to the elegant
curves seen in Greek pottery, many of the shapes are of great and peculiar
elegance, especially those which have been made at an early period for the
purposes of the toilet.

1373. Small vase, situlus, with handle, and subjects in relief, in three hori-
zontal bands. 1. The barge or ark of the god Sekar, or Socharis, called the
Hannu, the poop and prow terminating in the head of a gazelle, and three
jackals going to the right, tied by a cord and drawing another boat, the prow
and poop terminating in lotus flowers; it is apparently the Ua en Ed, or Boat
of the Sun, and is followed by three apes, or cynocephali, standing in the
attitude of adoration, hatet. 2. The deceased personage with whom the vase is
associated, draped in a long garment, standing facing to the left, holding up
both hands in adoration to several deities, at the head of which is Amsi or
Khem, or Ammon Horus, the mystical Har-neyt and Ka-mut-f, standing, facing
to the rightj wearing on his head the lower part of pSxent, the tes'er, or red
cap, and the two hawk-feather plumes, holding his whip behind him in his
left hand; his form is mummied. Behind Khem is his shrine. Khem is
followed by the goddess Nit, or Neith, draped, wearing the lower croWn tes'er,
holding a sceptre, uas, in her left hand, and her right pendent. 3. Isis, wear-
ing the disk and horns, also draped;, holding a sceptre, uasm, in her left

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