Height: 24" Width: 44" Depth: 21"
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures
Statues Los Angeles
Exceptional fine and rare pair of French Retour D'egypt
period terracotta lions, circa 1790-1810. The French Egyptian Revival style or
the retour d'Egypte refers to style that makes use of the motifs and imagery of
ancient Egypt. By the end of the 18th century enthusiasm for ancient Egypt
generated by Napoleon's unsuccessful conquest of Egypt and, in Britain, to
Admiral Nelson's defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Napoleon
took a scientific expedition with him to Egypt and this was the first time a
major study of ancient Egypt was done. Publication of the expedition's work,
the description de l'Égypte, began in 1809 and came out in a series though 1826
influencing a new way of life in France thru architecture and decorative arts.
However, works of art, decorative arts, furniture and, in the field of
architecture and garden follies, funerary monuments in the Egyptian style had
appeared in scattered European settings from the time of the Renaissance. The
Egyptian Revival style came out in a few waves in France before Napoleon during
the ancient Régime Egyptian motifs were mixed with the neoclassical-Louis XVI
style in architecture, furniture and decorative arts. A big surge hit France
around 1798 during Napoleons Egyptian expedition. This was the first major
Egyptian Revival period as this was the first time in history that a major
study on Egypt was done. French people became fascinated with the ancient
Egyptian history, culture, architecture and furniture. Egyptian ornamentation
like scarab beetles, sphinxes, winged lions and lotuses details were incorporated
into Classical style furniture and decorative arts creating a style known as a
hybrid neo-Egyptian. The next wave was during the height of the French Romantic
period 1820s-1850s. The Egyptian Revival emerged as a result of the famous
archaeological digs of the first half of the 19th century and was primarily
used for Tomb memorials, temples, and cemeteries and some decorative arts. This
style is distinguished by its adaptation of Egyptian forms and motifs, sphinxes
guarding buildings including lotus blossoms, Pharaoh's heads, the winged disk
symbol of the sun God, as well as the use of bold bright colors. At the end of
the 19th century 1870s-1890s the Egyptian Revival styles were in vogue once
more. At the Height of the Victorian period the Egyptian style was even more
elaborate than before. Often incorporated with Neo-Greek & Renaissance
Revival styles. Victorians were even more fascinated with these rare finds and
incorporated their motifs into jewelry, furniture, glass and Art pottery. Heavily
ornamented overstuffed furniture made its way into homes, by way of the parlor
suite. armchairs with gilt pharaoh's heads and goat feet, elegant sofa's with
palmiform columns and lotus blossoms filled the middle class homes of France.
Other items were made and reflect the population's desire for the exotic.
Clocks and mantel (fireplace) garnitures featuring sphinxes and other Egyptian
motifs were popular made in onyx or ivory alabaster trimed in gilt bronze with
two matching obelisks that would flank the clock that was crowned with a bronze
sphinx. Baccarat manufactured several gilt bronze and crystal items such as
jardinieres, desk items, vases and jewel caskets. By the late 19th century
Egyptian Revival designs merged with the Art Nouveau style. During the late
18th century and early 19th century Egyptian motifs were applied to a wide
variety of Decorative arts objects. Publication of Napoleon's expedition's
work, the Description de l'Égypte, began in 1809 and came out in a series
though 1826, inspiring everything form sofas with Sphinxes for legs to tea sets
painted with the pyramids. It was the popularity of the style that was new.
Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA West Hollywood Melrose Ave La Cienega
