Artificial combinations of flowers also became used decoratively. We have just instanced two examples from the great bouquets or staves of flowers which the Egyptians used in ceremonies.
The garlands of flower petals which are seen on the heads of women, or as collars, in the XVIIIth-XXth dynasties were also placed around the water-jars; and hence a painted pattern of garlands came to be used on those jars.
Fig. 159.
In architecture also the garland came into use, sometimes carved on the stone around the columns, sometimes made in coloured glaze and inlaid in the surface.
160.—T.A. ix.
Wreaths of lotus flowers and buds were also represented around the columns at Tell el Amarna.
The great pectorals, or breast-plates, of successive strings of flowers and leaves were prominent in the personal and religious decoration. The sacred barks of the gods were adorned with large and complex breast-plates, probably made of bronze, gilded and inlaid (L.D. III. 235).
