Wall-painting, Eighteenth Dynasty.] [Illustration: Fig.

291 .-- Enamelled cruet.

Wall-painting, Eighteenth Dynasty.] [Illustration: Fig.

292 .-- Gold centre-piece of Amenhotep III.

Wall- painting, Eighteenth Dynasty.] The Pharaohs had not our commercial resources, and could not circulate the gold and silver tribute-offerings of conquered nations in the form of coin.
When the gods had received their share of the booty, there was no alternative but to melt the rest down into ingots, fashion it into personal ornaments, or convert it into gold and silver plate.