Antiques M.S. Rau | 19Th Century Egyptian Revival Obelisk Models

This Extraordinary Pair Of Egyptian Revival Obelisks Are Elegantly Crafted Of Composition Stone And Faux Marble. The Rare 19Th Century Models Are Adorned By Intricately Hand-Carved Hieroglyphics That Extend Upwards On Their Proportionate Forms, While The Egyptian Gods Kohnsu, The God Of The Moon, And Mut, The Mother Goddess Of Thebes, Grace Each Base. To Find Such An Exceptional Garniture, And Superb Example, In This Intriguing Style Is Quite Rare.

Models Such As These Influenced By The Ancient World Pervaded Interior Design And The Decorative Arts Of The 19Th Century. Interest Was Already High In Egyptian Art In 1798 When Napoleon Invaded Egypt, Which Lead To An Influx Of Egyptian Art And Design Into French Culture. Adding To This Momentum Was Jean-François Champollion’S Deciphering Of Hieroglyphs In 1822, As Well As The Installation Of An Obelisk In Paris In 1836. Still, Egyptian-Inspired Decorative Arts Remained Largely For Only The Most Wealthy Who Could Afford Expensive Objets D’Art.

These Pieces Are Illustrated In The Collector’S Eye: Masterpieces Of Egyptian Art From The Thalassic Collection, 2001, By P. Lacovara, B. Teasley, Et Al. On Page Xvii

19Th Century

Obelisks: 20 3/4” High X 5″ Wide X 5″ Deep

Provenance:
Estate Of Theodore And Aristea S. Halkedis, New York