An impressive solid wooden Egyptian Revival chair with gilt accents and lion paw feet. Under the lion paw feet copper casings. At the backrest a woodcarved panel of the god Heh above a double-curved seat.
This chair is a more recent example (1950 - 1960) of the Egyptian inspired furniture that became very popular around the 1930s - at the time that Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun during his archeaological expeditions. See on the last picture the original chair this one is made after.
This revival piece was made around 1955. It is a very heavy piece and in good vintage condition. It would look stunning as a side chair in for instance a library, an entrance hall or a themed room. It has a great presence and is an eye catching conversation piece.
Condition : visible wear according to its age of 60 to 70 years; some lacquer missing at the back panel, some signs of old repairs, changed screws, shrinkage of the wood that left some cavities. The chair still is very stable and sturdy. It has an antique look because of the described imperfections.
About Egyptomania
On 5 November 1922, Howard Carter, leader of the Lord Carnarvon's archaeological expedition, discovered the location of the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun. Although some tomb robbing was evident, it remains the best preserved and most complete tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
News of Carter's discoveries - which consisted not only of the mummified pharoah himself, but also a wealth of decorative objects and furniture that were kept with him for use in the afterlife - quickly spread, resulting in a resurgence in popularity for all things Egyptian - Egyptomania.
Harry Burton, the only photographer granted access to the tomb and whose archive is held by the Griffith Institute at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, made it possible to circulate images of what they found. This chair is inspired on one of the genuine models the team discovered, which are illustrated and discussed in Hollis S Baker, 'Furniture in the Ancient World', London, 1966, pp.75-84.
Creator
unknown
Manufacturer
Design Period
Production Period
1970 to 1980
Country of Manufacture
UK
Model no.
Style
Egyptian, Egyptomania, Arts & Crafts, Eclectic
Detailed Condition
Good with signs of age and wear, structurally sound
