Colour Mutation in Graphics of the 21a Dynasty Thebes, 1070-945 BCE Site Index Local Index Network Index Next Page |
This discussion will be continued as many further examples are processed.
We would like very much to hear your comments.
admin@cesras.org
We would like very much to hear your comments.
admin@cesras.org
The following pages present evidence in the discussion concerning the original colours of
the so-called "yellow" coffins of the 21a Theban Dynasty (1070-945 BCE). The examples
shown are taken from original CESRAS photos of coffins, mummy-boards and uschebti
(shabti) boxes found in the Royal Cache, TT320, in 1881 and in the "2nd Cache", Bab
el-Gasus, in 1891.
In the earlier scholarly egyptological literature it is often stated that the decoration of these
objects was outlined and painted on a yellow background, or that the background was
painted yellow. As the coffins appear to be yellow and are thus correctly called "yellow
coffins", we believe that the evidence shown here will convince that this was not the case,
at least with the considerable material which we have studied.
Less frequently is maintained that the background was the raw white gesso (lime plaster),
the final step in smoothing the surface (see construction methods on this site) and that the
decoration was applied to this white surface. The finished painted decoration was then
coated with a protective varnish. The physical evidence presented here clearly supports
this view.
A second, perhaps more important, point of discussion is that of the nature of the varnish
used; was it a transparent yellow, or clear and colourless ? We shall demonstrate that there
would have been no logic in applying a yellow coating. The mutation of stable, painted
colours makes it clear that the varnish was clear when applied and yellowed with age.
CESRAS/el/30.07.07
Literature:
Andrzej Niwinski: 21st Dynasty Coffins From Thebes, von Zabern, Mainz 1988
V. W. Davies (editor): Colour and Painting in Ancient Egypt, The British Museum Press 2001
Katja Hühnerfuss : Totalreflektions-Röntgenspektronomie (TXRF) Eine Multielementanalyse
zur Datierung altägyptischer Objekte aus Holz, Dissertation, Universität Hamburg 2007
(available from www.dissertation.de)
the so-called "yellow" coffins of the 21a Theban Dynasty (1070-945 BCE). The examples
shown are taken from original CESRAS photos of coffins, mummy-boards and uschebti
(shabti) boxes found in the Royal Cache, TT320, in 1881 and in the "2nd Cache", Bab
el-Gasus, in 1891.
In the earlier scholarly egyptological literature it is often stated that the decoration of these
objects was outlined and painted on a yellow background, or that the background was
painted yellow. As the coffins appear to be yellow and are thus correctly called "yellow
coffins", we believe that the evidence shown here will convince that this was not the case,
at least with the considerable material which we have studied.
Less frequently is maintained that the background was the raw white gesso (lime plaster),
the final step in smoothing the surface (see construction methods on this site) and that the
decoration was applied to this white surface. The finished painted decoration was then
coated with a protective varnish. The physical evidence presented here clearly supports
this view.
A second, perhaps more important, point of discussion is that of the nature of the varnish
used; was it a transparent yellow, or clear and colourless ? We shall demonstrate that there
would have been no logic in applying a yellow coating. The mutation of stable, painted
colours makes it clear that the varnish was clear when applied and yellowed with age.
CESRAS/el/30.07.07
Literature:
Andrzej Niwinski: 21st Dynasty Coffins From Thebes, von Zabern, Mainz 1988
V. W. Davies (editor): Colour and Painting in Ancient Egypt, The British Museum Press 2001
Katja Hühnerfuss : Totalreflektions-Röntgenspektronomie (TXRF) Eine Multielementanalyse
zur Datierung altägyptischer Objekte aus Holz, Dissertation, Universität Hamburg 2007
(available from www.dissertation.de)
INDEX
Coffin of Dirpu (Bab el-Gasus)
Mummy-cover of Nesychonsw (Royal Cache, TT320)
Further examples will be added as time allows.
We would be grateful for your comments.
admin@cesras.org
Coffin of Dirpu (Bab el-Gasus)
Mummy-cover of Nesychonsw (Royal Cache, TT320)
Further examples will be added as time allows.
We would be grateful for your comments.
admin@cesras.org