h a profusion of trinkets, they loaded the arms, the
fingers, the neck, the ears, the brow, and the ankles of their dead with
more or less costly ornaments. The quantity thus buried in tombs was so
considerable that even now, after thirty centuries of active search, we
find from time to time mummies which are, so to say, cuirassed in gold.
Much of this funerary jewellery was made merely for show on the day of the
funeral, and betrays its purpose by the slightness of the workmanship. The
favourite jewels of the deceased person were, nevertheless, frequently
buried with him, and the style and finish of these leave nothing to be
desired. Chains and rings have come down to us in large numbers, as indeed
might be expected. The ring, in fact, was not a simple ornament, but an
actual necessary. Official documents were not signed, but sealed; and the
seal was good in law. Every Egyptian, therefore, had his seal, which he
kept about his person, ready for use if required. The poor man's seal was a
simple copper or silver ring; the ring of the rich man was a more or less
elaborate jewel covered with chasing and relief work. The bezel was
movable, and turned upon a pivot. It was frequently set with some kind of
stone engraved with the owner's emblem or device; as, for example, a
scorpion (fig. 296), a lion, a hawk, or a cynocephalous ape. As in the eyes
of her husband his ring was the one essential ornament, so was her necklace
in the estimation of the Egyptian lady. I have seen a chain in silver which
measured sixty-three inches in length. Others, on the contrary, do not
exceed two, or two and a half inches. They are of all sizes and patterns,
some consisting of two or three twists, some of large links, some of small
links, some massive and heavy, others as light and flexible as the finest
Venetian filigree. The humblest peasant girl, as well as the lady of
highest rank, might have her necklet; and the woman must be poor indeed
whose little store comprised no other ornament. No mere catalogue of
bracelets, diadems, collarettes, or insignia of nobility could give an idea
of the number and variety of jewels known to us by pictured representations
or existing specimens. Pectorals of gold _cloisonne_ work inlaid with
vitreous paste or precious stones, and which bear the cartouches of
Amenemhat II., Usertesen II., and Usertesen III. (fig. 297), exhibit a
marvellous precision of taste, lightness of touch, and dexterity of fine
workmanship.