Egyptian furniture
An ancient civilization that exists no more, but still has the power to fascinate us. The people that have left traces of their culture on this earth in the form of the sphinx and the pyramids. The kingdom that holds the utmost fascination for researchers and has yeilded rich fruits in the form of mummies, tombs and treasures. The empire that has left behind it immense treasures, physical as well as in the form of legends and inventions. This is Egypt.
Because of the fascination with Egypt than with other past civilizations, more has been discovered about the daily life of the people of Egypt than of any other people. It is so in the case of furniture as well. Excavations of furniture items as well as surviving furniture of this period give an indication to the kind of pieces used in an Eyptian home. The colorful and extremely detailed paintings that the Egyptians have left also add to our knowledge regarding their furniture.
A typical Egyptian household was sparsely furnished compared to today. The most common pieces of furniture of those times were 3 or 4 legged stools, fly catchers, clay ovens, jars, pots, beds, plates, oil lamps and small boxes. The furniture was not massive because wood was not available easily and hence was expensive. The furniture made by Egyptian craftsmen and woodworkers was simple but well made. The common people used the simple furniture and the wealthy and royalty had more elaborate furniture gilded with gold and silver.
The stool was made from wood and had 3 or 4 legs with carvings to simulate animal legs. The seats were made from padded leather or woven rush to give a cushion. Rich people had their stools and other furniture decorated with gold or silver leaves whereas the others simply painted them to simulate the look. The folding stools were invented by the Egyptians and were carved and decorated. Chairs of this period were characterised by gold sheathing, ivory inlays, intricate marquetry, inset jewels and fine stones. The legs of the chairs as well as the stools were carved with a resemblance to the shape of lions paws, crocodiles feet or gazelles legs. Carvings of flowers, animals and birds were also common. The kings had a throne chair that had ebony and ivory inlaid at the back. Tables were also used by the Egyptians to eat, write and play games. The Egyptian tables were low and were decorated with marquetry or inlaid ivory on the top. The table legs were decorated with carved legs, gold and silver sheathing and ivory inlays.
The Egyptian bed was rectangular and made of wood at a height of 300 mm with animal shaped legs. The beds were gently inclined so that the sleepers head was elevated. One end had a footboard and the other a headrest, which was made by a curved piece set on top of a short pillar. Woven cords were used as a mat and instead of pillows, the headrest was used. Chests and boxes made of wood were also used for storing clothes, jewellery and cosmetics. These boxes were highly decorated with carvings and came in different types.
Clay was another material used to construct furniture for the kitchen. Large cylindrical clay ovens were a feature of the Egyptian kitchen as well as clay pot and jars. These latter were used by the Egyptians to store food. Clay plates were used for eating food but the rich people sometimes used bronze, silver or gold plates. Clay tiles were also used as a decoration for the floor.
Other decorative items include leather wall hangings with beautiful pictures. Paintings on the walls as well as colored ceilings, carvings and inscriptions were also instrumental in decorating the interior of an Egyptian home. The colors commonly used for decoration were gold, black, red, blue and orange giving a vivid and bright picture.
The Egyptian civilization has been divided into Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom. The furniture styles also reflect the changes in society of each period. Not much of the furniture of this period has survived the passage of time and all our information has been gathered from paintings. Old Kingdom furniture concentrated on shape, lines, proportion and texture for decorative effect. The lion's paw for legs of chairs were in practice even at this time. At the end of the Old Kingdom, chairs with armrests and backs were invented. Metal work, relief carving and gilding was used for decoration during this period.
During the period of Middle Kingdom, inlay, paint, gilt and veneer were used more often to give a decorative effect. Cow heads, lion heads and hippopotamus were also used for this purpose.
Richly painted folding stools, small and low tables woven with rush and chairs with greater comfort characterized the furniture of the New Kingdom. The influence of foreign cultures was felt in the design of furniture of this period.
A few pieces of furniture still survive today giving a testimony to the superior skills of woodworking and preserving techniques of the Egyptians. These were mostly excavated from tombs and are now well preserved in museums. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo showcases the Chair of Queen Hetepheres of the 4th dynasty as well as the Chair od Sennedjem of the 18th dynasty. Another chair of the 18th dynasty can also be found at the Louvre in Paris. The British Museum contains an Egyptian stool also of the 18th century.
The finding and excavation of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 unleashed a treasure trove of precious and ancient Egyptian furniture of the 18th dynasty that the king is supposed to have used on his way to the other world. Two golden thrones, two shrine shaped boxes, painted and gilded stool, chest on legs and a bed frame found in King Tut's tomb now repose in The Egyptian Museum.
With such a highly developed culture and civilization whose traces are still found today, it is no surprise that a few of the furniture pieces have survived. The fascination with Egypt and its civilization will lead to more and more knowledge even today as they have left their mark on this world.
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