it is nearly white.

The silver came chiefly from Asia, in rings, sheets, and bricks of standard weight.

The gold and electrum came partly from Syria in bricks and rings; and partly from the Soudan in nuggets and gold-dust.

The processes of refining and alloying are figured on certain monuments of the early dynasties.

In a bas-relief at Sakkarah, we see the weighed gold entrusted to the craftsman for working; in another example (at Beni Hasan) the washing and melting down of the ore is represented; and again at Thebes, the goldsmith is depicted seated in front of his crucible, holding the blow-pipe to his lips with the left hand, and grasping his pincers with the right, thus fanning the flame and at the same time making ready to seize the ingot (fig.