82.—P. [81].
Under the empire chequers are less common owing to the greater development of more elaborate decoration. A pleasing variety was formed by lengthening the squares, a change doubtless copied from weaving, where oblong squares serve to break the monotony of the pattern.
83.—L.D. iv. 77.
In later ages of the Saitic and Greek times the chequer is a common resource, but is seldom treated with originality or grace, and we do not find any new departure or advance in the mechanical execution of the later examples. One slight novelty was the alternation of whole and divided squares of colour, under Claudius.
Somewhat analogous are the net-work patterns. They seem to be probably derived from stitch-pattern over dresses. Though found in the XIIth dynasty they are not usual until the XVIIIth dynasty, and they are generally on the dresses of goddesses. A simple example is on a horse-cloth of Ramesside age, which shows that these can hardly represent long beads, but rather stitching or quilting. A more elaborate form is on the dress of Bast in the tomb of Seti I., in hexagons.
84.—R.S. lxxxii.
