Mary G. Houston

Originally published in 1920, Ancient Egyptian, Assyrian and Persian Costumes and Decorations is an illustrated overview of Middle Eastern dresses.

This scrupulously researched and abundantly illustrated book includes 315 drawings based on renderings by artists of the period to achieve utmost accuracy and authenticity. Included are elaborate examples of Aegean costume, Doric and Ionic styles of dress for women, Greek and Roman armor, graceful and intricately arranged Roman togas, the tunica -- roomy, wide-sleeved apparel; and the pallium, a cloak-like garment. Ornate vestments of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine costumes are carefully described and portrayed, as are styles of hairdressing, jewelry, and other decorative elements. An excellent reference for the history classroom, the volume also includes instructions and flat patterns showing the cut of sample garments, making it easy for costume designers to reproduce period apparel. This book will be valuable as well to costume historians and art students interested in the development of representative art.

Over 250 illustrations, drawn in the artistic style of the period, depict apparel worn by Egyptian royalty, manual workers, and military, as well as by ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Flat patterns show cut of the garments, enabling today's costumers to accurately reconstruct this apparel. A comprehensive archive.

Carefully researched, meticulously detailed account of the style and construction of period costumes. Includes descriptions and illustrations of royal apparel, elaborate ecclesiastical dress and vestments, academic and legal garments, and civilian dress of all classes. Also discusses jewelry, armor, textiles, embroidery and hairdressing.