Manual of Egyptian archæology and guide to the study of antiquities in EgyptFor the use of students and travellers . ng year after year in chiselling the cover of asarcophagus or carving statues out of the most stub-born materials. The statue of Taurt (fig. 220), andthe four pieces of the tomb of the scribe Psammetichusof the Thirtieth Dynasty inthe Cairo Museum are themost remarkable pieceshitherto discovered of thisclass of work. Taurt, theGreek Thueris, was thegoddess who protected preg-nant women and presidedover childbirth. This figureof the goddess was dis-covered at Thebes by fellahindi
Manual of Egyptian archæology and guide to the study of antiquities in EgyptFor the use of students and travellers . ng year after year in chiselling the cover of asarcophagus or carving statues out of the most stub-born materials. The statue of Taurt (fig. 220), andthe four pieces of the tomb of the scribe Psammetichusof the Thirtieth Dynasty inthe Cairo Museum are themost remarkable pieceshitherto discovered of thisclass of work. Taurt, theGreek Thueris, was thegoddess who protected preg-nant women and presidedover childbirth. This figureof the goddess was dis-covered at Thebes by fellahindigging (or sedak/i,the nitrousmanure that is found roundthe ruins of ancient build-ings. She was standing ina chapel of white limestonededicated to her by thepriest Pabesa in the nameof Queen Nitocris. Thischarming hippopotamus carved in green serpentine,with her disproportionate snout, her ample smile,rounded belly, pendant breasts, and shortened paws, isa fine example of difficulties overcome, the only meritI have any wish to ascribe to her. The Psammetichusgroup on the contrary has real artistic merit as well. Fig. 220.—The goddess Taurt,Saite work. 266 PAINTING AND SCULPTURE. as excellence of technique. It consists of four piecesof green basalt, a table of offerings, a statue of Osiris,a statue of Isis, and a Hathor cow against whichPsammetichus is leaning (fig. 221). All four are some-what artificial, but the faces of the divinities and ofthe deceased man are not wanting in sweetness. Thecow is admirable. She is stretching her head over the man to protecthim in the samemanner as the cowof Deir el Bahari,and the little figureshe is supportinggroups well with less knownpieces compare wellwith these. The Saitestyle is easily recog-nised. It does notshow the broadscholarly treatmentof the first Mem phi teschool, nor the grandand sometimes rude manner of the second Thcbanschool, the proportions of the body are more slender,and the limbs lose in vigour what they gain
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpubl, booksubjectart, taweret
