The volume surveys ancient Egyptian civil and military architecture, explaining the pictorial conventions used to represent buildings and reconstructing palaces, houses, and fortifications from tomb reliefs. It examines construction methods, materials, arches, supports and the characteristic Egyptian orders, colonnade arrangements, doors, windows, illumination, obelisks and the practice of architects. Subsequent sections trace the development and techniques of sculpture across major periods, bas-relief method, gem engraving and prevailing stylistic conventions. Chapters on painting address technical processes, figure representation, caricature and ornament. The industrial arts are treated in sections on glass, pottery, metalwork, jewelry and woodwork, followed by discussion of commerce and the general qualities that define Egyptian art.