Architecture & Design · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good. The paper is strong and colors remain vivid. Light toning in margins, minor scattered foxing mainly in the lower edge. No tears or restorations. Plate imprint crisp.
Ancient Egyptian Ornament Print – Color Lithograph of Symbols & Jewelry, c.1869
This richly detailed chromolithograph showcases the splendor and symbolism of ancient Egyptian decorative art. Plate III from L'Ornement Polychrome, this 19th-century print presents an array of ornamental designs including pharaonic headpieces, scarabs, winged deities, sacred animals, and intricate jewelry motifs, all rendered in vivid color and exquisite detail.
Centered in the composition is the goddess Ma’at with outstretched wings beneath a cartouche containing hieroglyphs. Flanking her are stylized depictions of Egyptian queens or goddesses wearing traditional headdresses, marked as figures 33 and 32. Around them, the plate is filled with iconic emblems of ancient Egyptian culture: the winged solar disk, amulets, cobras, ankhs, lotus motifs, and ornamental collars. Numbered details indicate individual design elements, such as scarabs (symbolizing rebirth), falcons (representing Horus), and the Eye of Horus, used for protection and healing.
This print was produced in Paris circa 1869 by the noted firm Firmin-Didot, based on the work of Albert-Charles-Auguste Racinet, and lithographed by Gandon and Duran. Chromolithography allowed for layering of vibrant colors and was ideal for accurately capturing the opulence of ancient decorative schemes. The clarity and precision of the printing reflect the height of 19th-century printing craftsmanship.
Part of a landmark visual encyclopedia of world ornamentation, this plate not only served as an artistic inspiration for European designers during the Victorian era but also as a scholarly reference. It reflects the Egyptomania that swept Europe following Napoleon’s campaigns and the subsequent decipherment of hieroglyphs in the early 19th century. The fascination with Egyptian aesthetics deeply influenced decorative arts, jewelry, and architecture throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Condition: Very good. The paper is strong and colors remain vivid. Light toning in margins, minor scattered foxing mainly in the lower edge. No tears or restorations. Plate imprint crisp.
Framing tips: A gold or ebony frame with a sand or papyrus-toned mat will enhance the print’s historic charm. Alternatively, a royal blue mount will pick up the jewel tones in the scarabs and ankhs beautifully.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: Firmin-Didot, Paris, after A. Racinet, c.1869
