Egyptian Revival Sale Will Be Held at Bonhams

The Economist

AN “IMPORTANT notice to all buyers” in the catalogue for Bonhams Egyptian Revival sale states: “Please note that everything included in this sale is, in our opinion, post 1750 in date.” This is intended to emphasise that this is not an antiquities sale. Nothing was actually made in ancient Egypt, and the consequence is no frauds, no dubious provenances, nothing dug from unmarked graves. “We’re selling pieces inspired by Egypt,” says Madeleine Perridge, of Bonhams Antiquities Department.

It is a mixed bunch containing some remarkable furniture, interesting statuary, glamorous jewellery, and some very ordinary paintings and wall hangings. Bonhams believe it is the first sale devoted solely to the Egyptian revival.

It is also an imaginative and opportunistic piece of auctioneering. “Themed sales like this capture the public’s imagination more than an Old Master sale,” says Ms Perridge. “January is a difficult time in the trade, with not many auctions. We thought it would be good to try something different.”

Art Daily

Bonhams, the international fine art auction house, will be holding 'The Egyptian Revival Sale' on 23rd January 2008, an auction of works of art inspired by Ancient Egypt, which will coincide with the Tutankhamun Exhibition at the O2 Dome.

The event will include a short talk by Lord and Lady Carnarvon. Lord Carnarvon is the great grandson of the fifth Earl who funded Howard Carter's exploration, which led to the great discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Madeleine Perridge of Bonhams Antiquities Department who is heading the Egyptian Revival Sale says: “The opening of the Tutankhamun Exhibition in London shows once more that the allure of Ancient Egypt and its artistic heritage endures into the 21st century. ‘The Egyptian Revival Sale’ will showcase pieces inspired by Ancient Egypt and will doubtless attract strong interest. The lasting appeal of Egypt has influenced works of art from the Grand Tour period of the 19th century, through to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s and the subsequent Egyptian Revival.”

The sale will include:
Sculpture and works of art inspired by Ancient Egypt
Empire, Regency and Egyptian Revival furniture
Egyptian Revival Art Deco jewellery, figurines, clocks and ceramics
Oil paintings, watercolours and prints relating to Egypt
Photograph collections of travel in Egypt
Books and folios about Egypt

Many of these objects although relatively modern look as though they might easily have come from an Egyptian pharonic tomb.

Top lot by value is an impressive Napoleon III parcel-gilt, polychrome-decorated, ivory-inlaid and ormula-mounted ebony and ebonised cabinet, from the third quarter of the 19th century. It is estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000.

There is also a stunning and very elegant stone head of Nefertiti estimated at £3,000 to £4,000; a cream painted and decorated throne based on the design of Tutenkhamun’s throne, estimated at £5,000 to £8,000; an ivory and mother of pearl inlaid cedar wood stool in the shape of a swan, estimated at £4,000 to £6,000; and a pair of 19th century recumbent sandstone sphinxes at £10,000 to £15,000.