Art of ancient Egypt carved objects, from figures of the gods to toys and carved utensils. Alabaster was often used for expensive versions of these; painted wood was the most common material, and normal for the small models of animals, slaves and possessions placed in tombs to provide for the afterlife. Very strict conventions were followed while crafting statues and specific rules governed appearance of every Egyptian god. For example, the sky god (Horus) was essentially to be represented with a falcon's head, the god of funeral rites (Anubis) was to be always shown with a jackal's head. Artistic works were ranked according to
The Anubis Gates with the "New Coinage" as a plot twist in her 1954 novel "The Toll-Gate". "The Anubis Gates" was chosen for Gollancz's Fantasy Masterworks (appearing as #47). Cheryl Morgan lists the novel among "12 Classic Steampunk Books." Chris Henderson reviews the book favorably in the December 1983 issue of "Dragon Magazine". He calls it "one of the best books to appear on the shelves this year". Noting it is "one of those rare books - a solid mainstream fantasy novel", Henderson recommends it...". Algis Budrys declared that Powers "supplies the one thing the reader has to have -- and never more