Rare Pair French Retour D’egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures
Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large 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.
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