{"title":"5.26 Egyptian Inspired","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"grand-tour-marble-and-ormolu-obelisks","title":"Grand Tour Marble and Ormolu Obelisks","description":"Perfectly proportioned and impressive in size, this striking pair of obelisks is crafted from specimens of rosso antico and Siena marble with ormolu accents. The duo were almost certainly made in Italy in the 19th century during the height of the Grand Tour, when the fervor for all things ancient pervaded the decorative arts. Egyptian-inspired objects such as these were particularly prized, especially those crafted in fine examples of Italian hardstones.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Interest in Egyptian art first began to grow in the 1790s when Napoleon invaded Egypt, which lead to an influx of Egyptian art and design into French culture. The acquisition of Egyptian-inspired decorative arts, particularly those of such quality materials, was a pursuit in which only the most privileged members of society initially indulged, and the wealthy filled their drawing rooms with the new, extravagant decor. The fervor for Egyptian-style art and architecture continued to grow over the coming decades, and the style remains highly fashionable among both collectors and designers today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1850 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 4 5\/8\" wide x 4 5\/8\" deep x 34 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43672870420615,"sku":"31-0206","price":24500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-0206_1_3724cee9-53e5-4149-adbc-a246e84f265a.png?v=1767207132"},{"product_id":"egyptian-empire-bedroom-suite","title":"Egyptian Empire Bedroom Suite","description":"This extraordinary mahogany and mercury-gilded bronze bedroom suite was almost certainly once owned by 19th-century Egyptian royalty. Luxuriously decorated in the Empire style, this important set was crafted by one of the premier Parisian ébénistes of the 19th century, Antoine Krieger (1804-1869). The seven-piece suite comprises a queen-size bed, secrétaire à abattant (drop-front secretary) with a satinwood interior, cheval mirror with side tables, two-door cabinet, vanity and two nightstands. The abattant, tables of the cheval mirror, cabinet and nightstands are all fitted with beautiful green marble tops. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Each piece is phenomenal and was crafted with extraordinary expertise. Most notable are the superior bronze mounts. Inspired by the style created to glorify Emperor Napoleon, the decorative Empire elements radiate royalty, power and elegance. Bronze legs of winged creatures support the vanity and nightstand while the secretary and cabinet rest on large bronze paw feet. Urns, swags and a variety of mythological creatures are all cast and gilded to the finest degree. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Antoine Krieger took his inspiration for this set from the furnishings of Malmaison, one of Napoleon and Josephine's Parisian palaces. A similar bedroom suite was acquired by circus magnate John Ringling to adorn his bedroom at Ca d'Zan, now part of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1860 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Measurements:\u003cbr\u003e Bed: 65\" wide x 86\" long x 62 1\/2\" high:\u003cbr\u003e Cabinet: 62\" wide x 23 1\/2\" deep x 41 1\/2\" high:\u003cbr\u003e Cheval mirror: 72\" wide x 20 1\/2\" deep x 80\" high:\u003cbr\u003e Secrétaire à abattant: 46\" wide x 20\" deep x 60\" high:\u003cbr\u003e Vanity: 54\" wide x 27\" deep x 66\" high:\u003cbr\u003e Nightstands: 19 1\/4\" square x 34 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41826972336263,"sku":"29-5791","price":788000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-5791_1_ea050718-3aa4-4ac1-9593-af8b47003777.png?v=1728290182"},{"product_id":"agate-grand-tour-obelisks","title":"Agate Grand Tour Obelisks","description":"These impressive Egyptian Revival obelisks are crafted of dynamically patterned agate. The rare 19th-century models were almost certainly made in Italy during the height of the Grand Tour when the fervor for all things ancient pervaded the decorative arts. Rich in neoclassical elegance yet possessing an exotic worldliness, pieces such as these were extremely popular as Grand Tour souvenirs among members of the British aristocracy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Models influenced by the ancient world pervaded interior design and the decorative arts of the 19th century. Interest in Egyptian art was already high after Napoléon's 1798 campaign in Egypt, which led to an influx of Egyptian art and design into European 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. The excitement for Egyptian-style art and architecture continued to grow over the coming decades, and the style remains highly fashionable among both collectors and designers today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1850 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 3 1\/2\" square x 12 1\/4\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238640558215,"sku":"31-3791","price":12850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-3791_1_da7b7bed-c9c3-457d-94b5-32a5eef49597.png?v=1717922916"},{"product_id":"henry-dasson-egyptian-granite-and-bronze-urns","title":"Henry Dasson Egyptian Granite and Bronze Urns","description":"Henry Dasson used grey granite from the famed Aswan quarries in Egypt to craft this pair of rare and important urns. Aswan was the location from which ancient Egyptian builders quarried the rare granite used in burial chambers and sarcophagi found in the pyramids at Giza. Each urn is designed in the neoclassical taste and complemented with exquisite doré bronze crafted by Dasson. While other cabinet makers relied on other bronziers for decorations, Dasson handmade and chased all of his own bronze adornments. These, depicting detailed ram’s heads and charming holly garlands, are of exceptional quality. To find such outstanding examples of Dasson's work, taken from the same quarries utilized for the grand pyramids of Egypt, is truly extraordinary. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Henry Dasson made his mark as a Parisian cabinetmaker early in his career and garnered favor with the most important figures in the French aristocracy. The wife of Emperor Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie, made Dasson her personal \u003cem\u003eébéniste\u003c\/em\u003e or cabinetmaker. Like many others, Eugenie was so impressed by Dasson's skill and refinement that she commissioned numerous works to adorn her royal residences. Dasson reflected on the designs of the 18th century and was able to vastly improve upon the methods by which those designs were created. Using more sophisticated tools, Dasson became renowned for his magnificent and technically superior dore bronze work. These urns are a testament to Dasson's brilliant craftsmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"Henry Dasson 1885\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 20 1\/2\" high x 10 1\/2\" wide x 8 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43231119573127,"sku":"31-9451","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9451_1.png?v=1758656131"},{"product_id":"cleopatra-by-oscar-spalmach","title":"Cleopatra by Oscar Spalmach","description":"Oscar Spalmach\u003cbr\u003e 1864-1917 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marble \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exquisite 19th-century white and grey marble sculpture of Cleopatra, signed by Oscar Spalmach and created in the renowned Studio O. Andreoni in Rome, captures the tragic grace of one of history's most important figures. Spalmach masterfully portrays Cleopatra in a poignant moment of introspection, just before her famous and fateful decision to take her own life. As she gazes at her arm, Cleopatra appears lost in contemplation, reflecting on the act she is about to commit—placing a venomous snake upon it. The sculpture conveys her inner turmoil and resolve, capturing the complexity of her final moments with striking realism. The intricate details—from the finely rendered folds of her garments to her dignified yet resigned expression—showcase Spalmach's remarkable ability to imbue marble with lifelike emotion and texture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Spalmach, working within the studio of Orazio Andreoni—a name synonymous with excellence in Italian sculpture—exhibited his work at the World's Fairs and across Europe, gaining recognition for his contribution to the art world. The collaboration within Andreoni's studio, noted for its influential role in the artistic renaissance of the period, offered Spalmach an unparalleled platform for his talent. This sculpture, likely produced under Andreoni's supervision, stands as a testament to the studio's legacy and Spalmach's artistry, securing their place in the pantheon of great sculptors. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Brief History of Cleopatra:\u003cbr\u003e Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, remains one of history's most compelling figures, celebrated for her intelligence, political acumen and legendary beauty. This sculpture is said to be one of the finest portrayals of the ancient queen in existence. Born in 69 BCE, Cleopatra ascended the throne alongside her brothers, later consolidating power as sole ruler. Cleopatra's reign was marked by alliances and relationships with two of Rome's most powerful figures, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, through which she sought to preserve Egypt's independence amidst Roman expansion. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After the defeat of her and Antony's forces at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, and Antony's subsequent suicide, Cleopatra faced the prospect of capture by Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus). Rather than endure humiliation as a captive in Rome, she chose to take her own life in 30 BCE. According to tradition, she used a venomous snake, to administer the fatal bite. This act symbolized both her defiance of Roman domination and her desire to control her own fate, solidifying her legacy as a powerful and tragic figure in history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 75\" high x 37\" wide x 30\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43743333580935,"sku":"31-8588","price":278500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8588_1.png?v=1769785547"},{"product_id":"enamel-and-diamond-scarab-ring-watch","title":"Enamel and Diamond Scarab Ring Watch","description":"Cleverly disguised as an elegant jeweled scarab, this rare Egyptian Revival-style platinum and 18K yellow gold ring conceals a delightful secret within its artistic form. The striking rust-red enamel body is adorned with 23 high-quality single cut diamonds and one round brilliant cut diamond of G-I color and VS1-SI1 clarity, totaling 0.50 carat, and accented by two small bead-shaped pink gems. A gentle touch reveals the scarab's wings can splay apart to unveil a tiny watch hidden inside, with the ring shank itself cleverly integrated as the crown for the mechanism. This ingenious marriage of jewelry and mechanics perfectly exemplifies the sophistication and whimsical design aesthetic of the mid-20th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1950","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44263428653191,"sku":"32-0928","price":28750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0928_1.png?v=1774964145"},{"product_id":"cleopatra-by-julius-kronberg","title":"Cleopatra by Julius Kronberg","description":"Julius Kronberg\u003cbr\u003e 1850-1921 | Swedish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eCleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated “Julius Kronberg Roma. 1883” (lower right) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted for and until recently housed in Sweden’s famed Tistad Castle, this historical genre masterpiece by Swedish Academic painter Julius Kronberg is monumental in both size and importance. The awe-inspiring work vividly brings to life the final moments of Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (69-30 B.C.E.), one of the most myth-enshrouded figures in history. Measuring over 11 feet high, it is a tour de force of the Academic style; its sheer size, along with its vibrancy and wealth of fascinating details, place it at the pinnacle of Academic art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The subject of Cleopatra’s death was a popular one in the realm of art history, having been captured by the likes of Guido Reni, Jean-Baptiste Regnault, German von Bohn, and Hans Makart. Yet, when compared to all of these, Kronberg’s Cleopatra far exceeds them all in terms of drama and his extraordinary sense of detail. The artist took his inspiration from Shakespeare’s tragedy \u003cem\u003eAntony and Cleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e, which had been published in Sweden for the first time in 1825. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In the tragic final act, Cleopatra mourns her lover Antony’s death, while also refusing to surrender to Octavian, who wishes to take her to Rome as a prisoner of war. Rather than become a spectacle of Rome, she resolves to commit suicide with her handmaidens, Charmian and Iras. Kronberg brilliantly captures the moment in which, after her handmaiden Iras has already died, Cleopatra reaches for a poisonous asp to press to her own breast. Her handmaiden Charmian kneels with her back to the viewer, but the brokenhearted anguish of her stance makes clear her despair in the face of what she is witnessing. Cleopatra herself comes across as strong and resolute in spite of the task ahead of her. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e When confronted with the work, viewers cannot help but be awed by the scene. Kronberg’s composition overflows with Oriental objects in a grand, Egyptian-influenced interior. Reproduced in rich detail with astounding accuracy, they reveal Kronberg’s dedication to careful research and superior draftsmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e To achieve such accuracy, two smaller versions of the work were produced, one on cardboard and the other a small color sketch in oil. Kronberg also produced two three-dimensional studies of Cleopatra and her handmaidens in wax, to ensure he would achieve exactly the correct proportions of the bodies’ postures. The two painted studies can be viewed today in Julius Kronberg's studio at Skansen in Stockholm, where they form part of the Nordic Museum collection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Kronberg created very few stand-alone paintings during his career, and most can be found in Sweden’s museums, including the Hallwyl Museum (Stockholm), Nationalmuseum (Stockholm) and Gothenburg Art Museum. He was more often commissioned for large-scale murals and ceiling paintings, including those in Stockholm Palace and Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre. In high demand in his day, the vast majority of Kronberg’s compositions were privately commissioned by wealthy Swedish private clients. \u003cem\u003eCleopatra\u003c\/em\u003e is one such example, having been commissioned in 1879 by Count Fredrik Wachtmeister. Painted specifically for the Wachtmeister family’s Tistad Castle, it remained there for over 130 years, only recently appearing on the market. The work is one of Kronberg’s very few masterpieces, and is perhaps the greatest Academic painting not presently found in a museum. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1883 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 131 1\/2\" high x 83 1\/2\" wide (334.01 x 212.09 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 141 3\/4\" high x 94\" wide x 3 1\/2\" deep (360.05 x 238.76 x 8.89 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rau-sfimages.s3.amazonaws.com\/dossier\/Dossier_32-0822.pdf\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eView the Dossier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Count Fredrik Wachtmeister, Tistad Castle, Nyköping\u003cbr\u003e By descent to Count Nils Wachtmeister, Tistad Castle, Nyköping\u003cbr\u003e Thence by descent within the Wachtmeister family\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Minnesota\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Copenhagen, Nordic Exhibition, 1888\u003cbr\u003e Stockholm, Blanchs konstsalong, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronberg – Måleriets triumfator\u003c\/em\u003e (year unknown, source: T. Björk, p. 109)\u003cbr\u003e Stockholm, Liljevalchs konsthall, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronberg, Memorial Exhibition\u003c\/em\u003e, 1923, cat. no. 84\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Små konstböcker no 11, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronberg\u003c\/em\u003e, Gleerupska universitetsbokhandeln, Lund (year unknown), p. 11 (illustrated)\u003cbr\u003e Sigurd Müller, \u003cem\u003eFinsk Tidskrift för Vitterhet, Vetenskap, Konst och Politik\u003c\/em\u003e, vol. XVIII, 1885, p. 76\u003cbr\u003e G. Nordensvan, \u003cem\u003eOch Svenska Konstnärer\u003c\/em\u003e, Stockholm, 1892, pp. 558-559 (illustrated)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSwedish Life in Town and Country\u003c\/em\u003e, New York and London, 1904, p. 172\u003cbr\u003e R. Muther, \u003cem\u003eThe History of Modern Painting\u003c\/em\u003e, London, 1907, p. 196\u003cbr\u003e K. Asplund, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronbergs atelier och efterlämnade arbeten\u003c\/em\u003e, Stockholm, 1922, p. 15-16\u003cbr\u003e K. Asplund, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronberg\u003c\/em\u003e, Liljevalchs catalogue no. 43, Stockholm, 1923, p. 14, no. 84\u003cbr\u003e B.G. Söderberg, \u003cem\u003eSlott och herresäten i Sverige, Södermanland\u003c\/em\u003e, band II, Malmö, 1968, p. 236 (illustrated)\u003cbr\u003e T. Björk, \u003cem\u003eJulius Kronberg – Måleriets triumfator\u003c\/em\u003e, Stockholm, 2016, pp. 107-110 (illustrated)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44518427033735,"sku":"32-0822","price":2950000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0822_1.png?v=1780946476"},{"product_id":"venus-of-philae-by-henry-roderick-newman","title":"Venus of Philae by Henry Roderick Newman","description":"Henry Roderick Newman\u003cbr\u003e 1843-1917 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eVenus of Philae\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed, dated and inscribed lower left\u003cbr\u003e Watercolor on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A masterwork of American Pre-Raphaelite painting, \u003cem\u003eVenus of Philae\u003c\/em\u003e captures Henry Roderick Newman's meticulous architectural rendering and profound understanding of ancient Egyptian sacred spaces. Painted during the artist's winter sojourn to Egypt in 1899, this luminous watercolor transports viewers into the hallowed hypostyle hall of the Temple of Isis at Philae, one of antiquity's most revered sanctuaries and a site that captivated 19th-century travelers and artists alike. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Newman's composition draws the eye through towering columns adorned with lotus and papyrus capitals, their surfaces bearing carved hieroglyphics and relief sculptures proclaiming Isis's divine power. The artist renders the temple interior with extraordinary precision, capturing shadow and light filtering through ancient stones. Warm ochres and tans dominate the palette, punctuated by deep blue Egyptian sky, while a small figure in dark robes provides scale and emphasizes the architecture's monumentality.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The \"Venus\" reference in the work's title is somewhat misleading, as this is actually the Temple of Isis, not Venus, the Roman goddess of love. However, during the 19th century, Isis was sometimes identified with Venus\/Aphrodite due to their shared associations with femininity, beauty and divine power. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Henry Roderick Newman stands as one of the most accomplished self-taught artists of the American Pre-Raphaelite movement. Born in Easton, New York, Newman initially pursued medicine but devoted himself entirely to painting following his father's death in 1861. After establishing his reputation at the National Academy of Design, Newman relocated to Florence in 1872, developing his signature architectural style inspired by Giotto and Fra Angelico. Beginning in 1887, Newman spent each winter in Egypt, drawn to ancient monuments and crystalline light. His Egyptian watercolors combine archaeological precision with poetic sensibility. A closely related painting of the same subject is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while other works by Newman reside in many of the world’s most esteemed institutions. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1899 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 25 1\/2\" high x 16 5\/8\" wide (64.77 x 42.23 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 34 1\/2\" high x 25 1\/2\" wide x x1 1\/4\" deep (87.63 x 64.77 x 3.18 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43876217585799,"sku":"32-1523","price":39850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1523_1_dfd0fc23-e159-4f9b-b2b1-423595abf953.png?v=1772378792"},{"product_id":"egyptian-revival-scarab-brooch","title":"Egyptian Revival Scarab Brooch","description":"This exceptional Egyptian Revival brooch reflects the fascination with ancient Egypt that swept the decorative arts at the end of the 19th century, a wave of “Egyptomania” sparked by major archaeological discoveries. The design centers on a finely carved carnelian scarab, which flips to reveal a detailed figural intaglio. Delicate 18K yellow gold and enamel wings surround the scarab, completing the elegant and evocative composition. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1905","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44034896822407,"sku":"32-2017","price":22850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2017_1.png?v=1774963036"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/5-26-egyptian-inspired.oembed","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}