This persistent monotony of pose and subject produces a depressing effect upon the spectator,--an effect which is augmented by the obtrusive character given to the supports.

These statues are mostly backed by a kind of rectangular pediment, which is either squared off just at the base of the skull, or carried up in a point and lost in the head-dress, or rounded at the top and showing above the head of the figure.

The arms are seldom separated from the body, but are generally in one piece with the sides and hips.

The whole length of the leg which is placed in advance of the other is very often connected with the pediment by a band of stone.

It has been conjectured that this course was imposed upon the sculptor by reason of the imperfection of his tools, and the consequent danger of fracturing the statue when cutting away the superfluous material--an explanation which may be correct as regards the earliest schools, but which does not hold good for the time of the Fourth Dynasty.