He is found only upon the sculptures of the early period.
Among the officers who have free access to the royal person, there is one who stands out with such marked prominence from the rest that he has been properly recognized as the Grand Vizier or prime minister at once the chief counsellor of the monarch, and the man whose special business it was to signify and execute his will.

The dress of the Grand Vizier is more rich than that of any other person except the monarch; and there are certain portions of his apparel which he and the king have alone the privilege of wearing.

These are, principally, the tasselled apron and the fringed band depending from the fillet, the former of which is found in the early period only, while the latter belongs to no particular time, but throughout the whole series of sculptures is the distinctive mark of royal or quasi-royal authority.

To these two may be added the long ribbon or scarf, with double streamers at the ends, which depended from, and perhaps fastened, the belt--a royal ornament worn also by the Vizier in at least one representation.

[PLATE CXVI., Fig.