Gilding

Color and material would have sharpened these distinctions when the decoration was intact.

Gilding, painted skin, colored crowns, faience, bronze, and precious stone all altered the effect of divine forms.

Modern Dendera is dominated by sandstone, but the ancient temple was not conceived as a monochrome shell.

Recent conservation has recovered substantial color in parts of the complex, making it easier to understand why words such as golden one and references to brilliance belong to an actual visual environment.

In one pot, pinks were growing all over the sides; at least, the green leaves were shooting forth stalk and stem, and saying as plainly as they could speak, "The air has fanned me, the sun has kissed me, and I am promised a little flower for next Sunday—really for next Sunday." Then they entered a room in which the walls were covered with leather, and the leather had golden flowers stamped upon it.

"Gilding will fade in damp weather; to endure, there is nothing like leather," said the walls.

Chairs handsomely carved with elbows on each side and with very high backs stood in the room, and as they creaked, they seemed to say, "Sit down.

Oh dear, how I am creaking! I shall certainly have the gout like the old cupboard—gout in my back.

"Still, it is delightful not to be forgotten." "Delightful indeed," cried a voice quite near to them.

No one but the tin soldier saw that it came from a rag of the leather which hung in tatters.

It had lost all its gilding and looked like wet earth, but it had an opinion, and it spoke thus: "Gilding will fade in damp weather.

To endure, there is nothing like leather." But the tin soldier did not believe any such thing.

There were mirrors.

Gilded ornament, carved reliefs, mosaics made from different colors of amber, precious and semi-precious materials.

Eventually, the room incorporated tons of amber.

This was not tasteful restraint.

No one but the tin soldier saw that it came from a rag of the leather which hung in tatters.

It had lost all its gilding and looked like wet earth, but it had an opinion, and it spoke it thus.

Gilding will fade in damp weather.

To endure, there is nothing like leather.

But the tin soldier did not believe any such thing.

Really, for next Sunday." Then they entered a room in which the walls were covered with leather, and the leather had golden flowers stamped upon it.

"Gilding will fade in damp weather.

To endure, there is nothing like leather," said the walls.

Chairs handsomely carved with elbows on each side and with very high backs stood in the room, and as they creaked they seemed to say, "Sit down.

No one but the tin soldier saw that it came from a rag of the leather which hung in tatters.

It had lost all its gilding and looked like wet earth, but it had an opinion and it spoke thus.

Gilding will fade in damp weather.

To endure, there is nothing like leather.

A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted With shifting change, as is false woman's fashion.

An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth.

A man in hue, all hues in his controlling, Which steals men's eyes, and women's souls amazeth.

And for a woman wert thou first created, Till nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting, And by addition me of thee defeated, By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.

But since he died, and poets better prove, Theirs for their style I'll read, his for his love.

XXXIII.

Full many a glorious morning have I seen, Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy.

Anon permit the basest clouds to ride With ugly wrack on his celestial face, And from the forlorn world his visage hide, Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace.