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braid has is the appendix cylindrical, or slightly conical, which is located
at the extreme end of the cap, at the back, and which goes down along
the spinal column. Its principal function was to contain the cloth surplus
falling to the back, on the scapulas and the back : instead of letting
hang cloth, one brought closer and gathered his ends in this appendix.
All the times, the braid is decorated named regular reasons "scratches".
There
are three
types of braids : the type (1), the type (2) and the type (3).

The
braid of the type (1) is that which one finds only during the Old Kingdom.
It has as a principal characteristic to be truly stuck to contours rounded
of the back, which gives him a very recognizable aspect. Thicker at the
base, on the level of the nape of the neck, it is thinned slightly while
going down in the back. This braid will be always slightly shorter and
thinner than the two other types.

The
braid of the type (2) has for principal characteristic to belong only
to one Pharaoh : Sesostris I, and with only one whole of statues : those
of its funerary complex of Lisht. This braid, very recognizable, is right
with a very light curve in its central part. More remarkable on this type
of braid is that on the level of its base, in contact with the cap, an
empty space appears with the back of the nape of the neck, at the place
where braid and neck are not in contact, contrary with the other types
of braids.

This
type of braid is represented the most by far, because it is present beginning
of XIIe dynasty until theGreco-Roman times. The type (3) is dissociated
from both others by a better homogeneity of contours than it offers to
the back of the headcloth. On this type, the braid follows contours of
the back again and the passage between the braid, as with the Old Kingdom,
but marked by a very open angle and strongly softened by a round-off.
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