Egypt Flashcards
Egyptian time period
3200 - 341 BC
Hieroglypics “Sacred Carving”
A system of writing by ancient Egyptians using pictures or symbols to represent words or thoughts;
Cartouche
Cartouche Hieroglyphics were used to form an oval plaque representing the birth name of pharaohs, queens and other persons of high standing.
Characteristics of Egyptian Art
- Face, feet, legs in profile.
- Shoulders, one eye in frontal view.
- Lacks perspective.
- Men in brown, women in yellow.
- Hieratic scale.
- Many mural paintings.
Lotus Motif
Papyrus
Egyptian building materials
- Granite, sandstone, limestone, diarite
- Not much wood, so not much wood furniture
- Wood reserved for pharaohs and wealthy because it needed to be imported.
Sphynx
Mythical monster with the body of a lion and head of another animal, diety, or human.
Trabeated Construction
- Composed of columns and lintels.
- Most common Egyptian construction technique.
- Posts can’t span far.
Architrave
The lowest member of the three principal divisions of a classical entablature; also a molding used to surround a door or window opening.
Abacus
The block that forms the uppermost member of the capital of a column and divides the capital from the entablature.
Capital, Shaft, base of column
Palmiform capital
Lotiform column
Stems gathered, later became fluting.
Papyriform Column (could be open or closed capital)
Mastaba Tombs
Tombs for the upper class, which eventually evolved into pyramids.
Pyramids
- Tombs
- Located close to the Nile so bodies may be transported to them.
Egyptian Temples
- Dedicated to one or more Gods or Goddesses
- Public not allowed inside
- Priests maintained and performed daily rituals
Naos
Area of the temple that housed the statue.
Hypostyle Construction
An Egyptian building or hall constructed by rows of columns to support a roof or ceiling. Allows for the construction of larger spaces, esp. temples.
Pylon
A monumental gateway shaped like a truncated pyramid flanking the entrance to an ancient Egyptian temple.
A pair of towers with slanting walls that flank the entrance portal.
Axial Plan
A room, building, or plan that is longitudinal along an axis or a layout that is symmetrical about an axis.
Egyptian town planning
- Segregated classes.
- Planning took into consideration hot, dry, stagnant climate.
Egyptian Row houses
- Flat roof
- Built to stay cool (few windows)
- Made out of mud brick
- Additional living space on top of the roof allowed people to sleep outside with the breeze
- Few windows, places high to avoid theft
- Very little furniture
- Cooking done outside for heat
- Loggia
Clerestory
Windows or openings placed in the upper
part of wall or in the highest story, especially above a roof, located to bring light into the central area of a building. Same as clere-story, clearstory, or clear-story.
Loggia
A porch or gallery with an open colonnade on one or more sides.
Tripartite plan
A three-part plan designed
in a linear arrangement
that moves from public
to private, generally
composed of an entryway,
hypostyle hall, and
sanctuary or living
quarters, often seen in
buildings of Ancient Egypt.
Reception room, central hall/living, private area.
Types of wood imported for furniture
Sycamore
Palm
Ebony
Cedar
Folding stools and fixed stools
Folding stools used mostly by men
Would have had stretched linen or leather over the seat
King Tut’s fixed stool
- Double cove seat
- Directional Lion feet
- Lion paw stands on a drum
Dovetail joint
Mortise and Tenon Joint
Folding stool from King Tut’s tomb
Leopard spots, leopard tail, and duck head legs
Double Shoulder Miter
Miter joint
Arm chairs
- Highest seat of honor, only for the Pharaoh
- Raking back / sloped back for comfort
- Directional animal feet
Half Joint
Side chair
- Raking back / sloped back for comfort
- Directional animal feet
Ceremonial Chair
- double cove seat
- base appears to fold
Butt Joint
Gold throne of King Tut
Inlaid gold, silver, lapis
Arms signify use by Paraoh
Directional feet
Bed
- Only for wealthy (most people would sleep on a mat)
- Caning, would have been used with a linen and feather mattress
- Yoke headrest
Yoke
Headrest
Could be decorative or plain
Chest
Would store valuables
Would wrap knobs with leather or twine and seal with wax as a warning system that they had been robbed
Polychrome
Painted
A multicolored ornament or pattern;
something of several colors.
Casket
A small portable box or chest made of precious woods or metal inlays, carvings, and paints, used to hold trinkets, jewels, papers, and other valuable items.
Alabaster vase for expensive perfume
Oil burning lamp holds oil and wick
