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Conserving the Past for the Future

A Conservation Tour

Nome Gods Bearing Offerings: A Relief in Pieces


Nome Gods Bearing Offerings
Nome Gods Bearing Offerings 1391-1353 BC
Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (1540-1296 BC)
Painted limestone
John L. Severance Fund 1961.205 & 1976.51

Colors Used in Decorating the Relief

The Egyptians used a dazzling array of colors. Analysis was done at the CMA identifying various shades of red, orange, brown, yellow, blue, green, grey, pink, white and black, created by using a number of different pigments or pigment mixtures. These pigments include: red ocher, sometimes mixed with orpiment or realgar for the reds and oranges; yellow ocher and orpiment for the yellows, mixtures of red ocher and carbon black for the browns; Egyptian green and turquoise for the greens; Egyptian blue; carbon black; huntite for white; and a mixture of Egyptian blue, carbon black and yellow ocher for grey. Calcite was added in varying amounts to lighten the hues or extend many of the pigments; for instance calcite was added to red ocher to make pink and to Egyptian blue to make a pale blue.
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In addition to the extensive palette, colors were layered to achieve specific effects. Yellow ocher striations applied to the surface of the black wig of the third nome appear as gold due to the layering of pigments.

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The application of black stripes below an overall blue layer created deep blue striations in the wig on the second nome, and blue pigment applied on top of red created a lush violet tone to accent his sash.

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An overall ground layer was not used; however, white pigment was applied as an underpaint in some areas, probably to increase the brightness of that hue; this effect was used extensively below the reds, for instance, the bright red of the fruit held by the third nome.


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