THE ROYAL SHRINE WITHIN THE TOMB OF TUTANKHAMEN

A First Impression in Colour of its Golden Walls
DRAWN IN COLOUR FOR THE SPHERE BY D. MACPHERSON
      "The Editor of the Sphere is glad to be able to present to his readers a first impression in colour of the shrine of Tutankhamen, discovered by the late Earl of Carnarvon and Mr. Howard Carter in the spring of this year. This wonderful structure of blue and gold is described by Mr. Howard Carter in his book, The Tomb of Tutankhamen just published by Messrs. Cassell. From the volume we quote the following from the scene which the Sphere's special artist has depicted above: 'There before us lay the sealed door, and with its opening we were to blot out the centuries and stand in the presence of a king who reigned three thousand years ago. My own feelings as I mounted the platform were a strange mixture, and it was with a trembling hand that I struck the first blow . . . An astonishing sight its light revealed, for there, within a yard of the doorway stretching as far as one could see and blocking the entrance to the chamber, stood to all appearance was a solid wall of gold . . . We were at the entrance of the actual burial chamber of the king, and that which barred our way was the side of an immense gilt shrine built to cover and protect the sarcophagus . . . Its roof, with cornice top and torus moulding, reached almost to the ceiling. From top to bottom it was overlaid with gold and upon its sides there were inlaid panels of brilliant blue faience, in which were represented, repeated over and over, the magic symbols which would ensure its strength and safety. . . We felt that we were in the presence of the dead king, and must do him reverence . . . Carefully, and as silently as possible, we reclosed the great swing doors.' "