PLATE XIII
sling over the left arm, as shown. To complete the draping, continue to pass the edge e-f round the waist towards the right, passing under the right elbow, then on round the back and left side until it reaches about 6 inches in front of left side of waist; now fold the remainder of drapery underneath, as shown in the drawings, and tie a cord round waist to keep all firmly in position; knot the end of the cord e-g to this waist cord. [Fig. 35] shows the back view, and [Fig. 36] shows the drapery thrown off the left shoulder to give freedom to both arms, Figs. [34] and [35] only giving freedom to the right arm. If the cord e-g is pulled down so that e touches the waist, then both shoulders will be covered by the drapery. [Fig. 34] is the most usual arrangement of this type of drapery, but in looking at [Plate XIII.] closely it will be seen that the modern drawing ([Fig. 37]) is a more exact rendering. This drawing is from a draping of the same shawl as [Fig. 34] is wearing, but the fold-over is somewhat deeper, the point e is tied closely to waist belt, and the drapery is rolled at waist while it is being adjusted. When worn thus, with a roll, the drapery will remain in position without the waist cord being tied over it, but it is more secure when it has been thus confined. [Fig. 38] is still another variety of this type of draping, and is taken from a small statue of Assur-nasir-pal in the British Museum; there we have two shawls, one square and one semicircular (see Figs. [38A] and [38B]). To arrange this drapery, take the square shawl and fold outwards about 20 inches, as at e-f. Tie a waist cord on the tunic, and tuck the corner
f deeply into it at left side of waist cord; then draw tightly round the figure in front and round again across the back of waist till the left side is reached again. Now double about 6 inches of the shawl inwards, and tuck again into waist cord. Take the semicircular shawl g-h, and attach the cord to another waist cord, throw backwards over the right shoulder, and arrange a sling over the left arm as before in Figs. [34] and [37]. The corner h of the shawl shows in front about 8 inches below the waist towards the left. Tie the second waist cord tightly over this shawl to keep in position.
NOTE ON THE COLOURING OF ANCIENT ASSYRIAN
AND PERSIAN COSTUMES
Though we do not possess the actual specimens of these costumes, still we can infer from the lavish ornament, and, from references in the Hebrew Old Testament writings, that rich colouring prevailed. The dyes were probably similar to those of ancient Egypt, and this table will suggest the particular hue of each colour: