EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Trabeated Construction
 This system consists columns and lintels. Example of
trabeated architecture-Temple of Luxor ,Thebes.

 Located on the east bank of river Nile, in the city

today known as Luxor(ancient Thebes) founded in
1400 BC.
 Luxor Temple
Luxor Temple from the east bank of the Nile
Luxor Temple

Central corridor and four colossi Central corridor of the temple

Egyptian Houses
 Were two or three stories high, often with arched
ceilings.
 Constructed from sun-dried brick called adobe.
 Walls were built slanting, as these bricks were not
very strong. Walls were thicker at base and
narrowed as the height increased.
 With invention of stone cutting tools, slanting walls
were imitated in granite.
Egyptian Houses
 In wide rooms numerous columns had to be placed
in the interior to support the short stone beams.
 Columns were arranged in long rows and richly
decorated with carvings.
Egyptian Pyramids
 Pyramid represents the primordial mound from
which the Egyptians believed the earth was
created.
 Shape of pyramid is thought of representing,
descending rays of the sun.
 Pyramids were faced with polished, highly
reflective white limestone.
 Workers placed hieroglyphics(picture writing)
around the pyramid.
Egyptian Pyramid-Saqqara
First true pyramid was built at Saqqara for King Zoser. It is called a step
pyramid because of its step shape.
Pyramid of Medium
Pyramid of Dahshur
Pyramid of Giza
Construction of Pyramids
 First step was to chisel the block of limestone the
way they wanted.
 Stonemasons used special rods to check stone block
was cut accurately.
 Blocks were kept in quarry until flood season.
Barges were used to haul over heavy limestone
blocks.
 Once the blocks were unloaded from boats, levers
and ropes were used to place the blocks into
position.
Construction of Pyramids
 After placing the blocks, laborers rubbed casing
blocks with polishing stones until they would shine.
 One or two large boats were also buried near the
tomb so king to have a peaceful sail over to the
next world.
Egyptian Pyramids
Pyramids of Giza
Valley Temple
A-Pyramid with substructure, mortuary temple, subsidiary pyramid ,
north(entrance) chapel, pyramidal court , enclosure wall & upper ending of
causeway. B- Valley temple with lower ending of causeway & harbour.
Valley Of The Kings
Tomb Of King Tutankhamun
Coffin Of King Tutankhamun
Mask Of King Tutankhamun
Furniture Of King Tutankhamun
Furniture Of King Tutankhamun
Chair Of King Tutankhamun
King Tutankhamun Tomb-Chest

Chest made of Ebony, with

insert panels probably of
Cedar. Lid hinged in bronze
along the back edge and
folds down the back of the
chest. Openwork area with
the ‘Ankh’ hieroglyph.
Ankh hieroglyph

Ankh- “To Live, Life” was

associated with gods of
Egypt, and Egyptian kings
aspired to achieve their
responsibilities of governing
and protecting life in Egypt.
King Tutankhamun Tomb-Stool

Construction fitted together

with mortise and tennon
joint. Legs carved in form of
animal legs.
King Tutankhamun Tomb-Bed
Bed made of wood coated with gesso. Constructed in four different
parts, the two sides in form of cows, a baseboard and a string mesh
mattress joined to footboard.
Major Forms-Beds
 Consisted of simple, rectangular frame with short
legs that supported a framework of woven cord.
 Used wickerwork bedstead of palm branches.
 Crescent shaped headrests were used in place of
pillows.
 Richer forms were made of oriental alabaster, fine
woods or glass, and decorated with hieroglyphics.
 Poorer types were plain and made of pottery or
stone.
Major Forms-Beds
 Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid
material, usually used for baskets or furniture.
Wicker is often made of material of plant origin,
but plastic fibers are also used.
Major Forms-Beds
Major Forms-Couches
 Made of wood with one end raised and the
remainder receding in a graceful curve.
 Ottomans were simple square sofa, with a flat seat
and boxlike base.
 Upper parts of these constructions were generally
of leather or richly coloured cotton fabric.
Couch
Major Forms-Chairs
 Figured in the homes of the wealthy.
 Common types being square backed single or
double chair.
 Double chair usually used by married couples.
 Better types being inlaid with ebony and ivory, and
having seats of leather or woven cord.
 Most impressive were Fauteuils or throne chair.
Major Forms-Chairs
Major Forms-Stools
 Found in homes of humbler means.
 Seat raised 8 to 14 inches from floor and
comprised of leather straps or woven thongs.
 Stools were made of wood, and had a padded
leather or woven rush seat.
 The stools 3 or 4 were often carved to look like
animal legs.
 Wealthy people had their stools and all furniture
decorated with gold or silver leaf.
Major Forms-Stools
 Common people would paint furniture to look more
expensive.
 Folding stools were a common form.
Major Forms-Stools
Major Forms-Tables
 Tables varied in shape and size according to
purpose.
 Those used for serving food were round supported
by a single column in the centre.
 Large tables were square or oblong, with 3 or 4
legs or sometimes even with solid sides.
 Commonly made of wood although metal and even
stone were sometimes used for table tops.
Major Forms-Tables
Major Forms-Offering Table
Major Forms-Chests
 Used for storage.
 Had lids that slid or lifted off, or sometimes hinged
in bronze along the back edge.
 Divided in compartments.
Major Forms-Chests
Clay Pots