In the first part of the book (p. 17-156) the author deals with Egyptian furniture. In the section concerned with the early beginnings (including the 3rd Dynasty) (19-39) he makes use of archaeological finds, sculptures and the furniture of Hesyre. In the second section (the Old Kingdom) (39-59) the author deals with the furnitures of Hetepheres and Mereruka and with furniture on sculpture. The next section (palace furniture of the 18th Dynasty) is mainly based on the finds of Yuia and Thuiu and then a whole section is devoted to the furniture of Tutankhamon (75-110). After a treatise of the Egyptian villa and its furnishings (110-124), in which special attention is paid to the furniture of the architect Kha, the author ends his description of Egyptian furniture with a survey of household furniture types (124-156).
Also in the other parts of the book Egypt is frequently mentioned, especially when the author deals with relations of Egypt with Mesopotamia (compare AEB 1965.0467), ancient Palestine (210-226) and the oldest periods of the Aegean world (235-254).
In the section on techniques (3500-1350 B.C.) (292-310) mainly Egyptian sources are used, as well as in the section measured drawings (312-320). Index on p. 345-351. (OEB - E.v.d.V.)

Abstract to Volume 1 :

This first volume deals with Egyptian furniture until the end of the 18th Dynasty. The first two introductory chapters are devoted to materials and tools. Various kinds of timber are briefly mentioned (analyses of some kinds of wood on p. 7), followed by other materials (e.g. ivory, leather, gold sheet), techniques (e.g. inlay, veneer, varnish, etc.) and methods (e.g. dowels, hinges, locks). The chapter on tools deals mainly with adzes, axes, chisels, saws and bow drills. It describes actual tools from museum collections, with illustrations on the plates and all technical data.
Chapters 3 to 7 are each devoted to a particular article of furniture: beds, stools, chairs, tables and vase stands. They consist mainly of descriptions of actual objects in museums, each with a photograph, full technical data, and in some instances drawings. The majority date from the New Kingdom. For periods from which only few objects have been preserved short introductions replace descriptions. In a few instances tomb pictures are discussed, e.g. the bed frame of Hesy-Re or vase stands from the Archaic Period. The objects that are described constitute so far as possible the complete range of shapes of the article of furniture.
The second part of the book (p. 73-98) contains the catalogue of pieces of furniture preserved in the museums. The possessions of each museum are fully indicated: inventory number, indications of their nature, material, date and measurements. The museums are listed in an alphabetical order after the countries in which they are situated, from Austria (Vienna) to the United States of America (several collections). The catalogue thus presents a complete survey of the available Egyptian material for the subject. (OEB)

Abstract to Volume 2 :

In the second volume on ancient Egyptian furniture the author treats boxes, chests and footstools. In all chapters some pieces are presented as typical examples, their data are given, with a description, illustrative drawings of the construction techniques and/or photographs. In some cases better preserved pieces from later periods are used for an exact description of the earlier ones from the period under discussion. Wooden and papyrus boxes and chests were used to hold, protect and store valuable things, toilet utensils, instruments, tools, garments, curtains, game pieces and papyri, amongst other things. Those from the Old Kingdom usually had flat lids and solid board sides, tied together at the corners. In the periods after the Old Kingdom carcase construction became so sophisticated with the introduction of frame and panel work that it was possible to construct vaulted, barrel, shrine and pent roof lids. Later chests were elaborately painted, some with funerary scenes, or inlaid with rare timber, coloured glass and gem stones, painted with hieroglyphs or had gilt fretwork decoration applied to the sides and lid.
The few earliest examples, described in detail in Chapter 1, come from Saqqara and Naqada. They are two 1st Dynasty boxes. After notes on frame construction and decorative techniques the author deals with the boxes represented in detail in the wall paintings from the 3rd Dynasty tomb of Hesire. Among the remains of Old Kingdom boxes, subject of Chapter 2, are those of queen Hetepheres. Described are: a curtain box, a bracelet box, rectangular boxes (with a section on their frame and panel construction). Furthermore, there are sections on round lid boxes, cavetto cornice boxes, gable lid boxes, boxes with carrying handles and shrine shaped boxes. Chapter 3, concerned with the Middle Kingdom boxes, comprises the description of a jewel box from the tomb of Sit-Hathor-Iunet from el-Lahun, and two toilet boxes. One of the smaller tombs in Beni Hasan yielded a fine collection of boxes, most of them containing toilet equipment. Chapter 4, on those boxes of the New Kingdom not forming part of larger undisturbed finds, includes a reed and papyrus box, rectangular boxes, a toilet box, one with a sliding lid, and also one with a shrine lid. A small collection was that of Ramose and Hatnefert, parents of the famous Senenmut, from their intact tomb at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna.
Chapter 5 is devoted to the collections of Perpaut and Kha. Several beautiful pieces of furniture inscribed for Perpaut are kept in museums, which also hold anepigraph objects that must come from the same, still unknown tomb. Three boxes are described. The other collection is that of the architect Kha (TT 8 at Deir el-Medina). Three boxes with gable lids are described. Of the furniture collection of Yuia and Thuiu, parents of queen Tiye - the subject of Chapter 6 - the author describes: two shrine-shaped boxes, a box with a round lid, and rectangular ones. By far the largest and finest collection is that of king Tutankhamun (Chapter 7). Described are: a chest, a large number of boxes with round lid, and rectangular boxes and shrine shaped boxes. Furthermore, a box with gable lid, a cartouche-shaped box, a box with curved sides, a wig box, a cosmetic box, a jewellery box. In Chapter 8 the Ramesside and Late Period boxes are taken together. Three boxes from the tomb of Sennedjem (TT 1 at Deir el-Medina) are presented here. After brief notes on the rare scenes of daily life in Ramesside tombs and material from the royal finds at Tanis, the author pays attention to an exceptional Late Period cabinet. Chapter 9 deals with footstools, used to indicate status. All footstools described come from the Tutankhamun find. A last note is devoted to a Late Period foot- or bath-stool.
At the end the catalogue of museum collections, giving the inventory numbers, a label description, material date and size. No indexes.

Abstract to Volume 3 :

In this volume the author investigates how woodworking in ancient Egypt developed in the 19th and 20th Dynasties. It establishes the range of wooden furniture manufactured during this period by surveying examples depicted in Ramesside Theban and Memphite tombs.
Ancient records show how the procurement of furniture occured at Deir el-Medina. The design and manufacturing of these furniture forms can be traced through furniture sketches annotated with a range of marks and signs, seen in surviving examples of furniture and furniture fragments. Procedures were developed that were managed by cooperatives of Egyptian artisans, who established a recognisable Egyptian style employed throughout the Ramesside world. Depictions of furniture used by the ruling Ramesside elite are examined including a remarkable collection used by Rameses III. Illustrations show how royal furniture was used both as a symbolic tool to promote the Ramesside Empire at the edges of its sphere of influence and to serve a religious purpose in the rituals performed by Ramesside priests. This volume contains a catalogue of known Egyptian furniture preserved in world museums that augments those found in the first two volumes of this series.
The author also provides a distribution list with illustrations of a number of replica pieces of woodwork made by him that can be found preserved in several museums and collections. The purpose of these replica pieces has been to analyse the design and construction techniques used by Egyptian carpenters using a range of replica woodworking tools. (OEB)

The dissertation investigates the ancient Egyptian furniture industry, from ancient production and preservation, to modern-day reconstruction and conservation. The main focus of the dissertation falls on an in-depth investigation of styles and designs that can be viewed as characteristic/diagnostic of ancient Egyptian furniture. Emphasis falls on the evolution of functional and decorative elements and the development of individual items. Key design markers are identified and the developments of certain styles are traced. In-depth discussions reveal the finer structural and design elements of individual items along a chronological time frame. These include beds, stools, chairs, footrests, couches, mattresses and cushions, boxes and chests, tables, bed canopies and screens. Introductory chapters provide the reader with background information relevant to the furniture industry, including tree species and timber properties, trade and import, tools, technologies and production methods, while the final chapter investigates the possible applications of modern technology for assessment, conservation and reconstructive purposes.