Some Examples of Egyptian Design
Egyptian scarab beetle in stained glass
What typical Egyptian shapes/symbols can be seen in these
jewellery pieces from the late 19th and early 20th century
Art Nouveau tortoiseshell hair
comb - 1905-08 - by George Fouquet
(French, 1862-1957) - The materials
are clearly Art Nouveau, carved
tortoiseshell, enamel and opals. The
design, however hints towards the
Egyptian Art Deco trend that would
come a few years after it was made
Egyptian funereal influence
Napoleon's soldiers, during the Nile campaign, found the Rosetta stone in 1799. They also shot the nose off the
sphinx, and brought souvenirs home.The fashion for Egyptian decoration, filtered to France and into English
speaking lands. Howard Carter's expedition found Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922. This rekindled the taste for this
again. Movie theatres, and funeral parlors enjoyed the style. There was a large black funeral home in Cleveland
that had one of its buildings (E. 55th) thusly decorated, that building is currently empty. The mortuarys termed
Stained glass in mausoleums
This mausoleum (Mayfield cemetery) resembles an Egyptian temple (mastaba), in its shape, columns, door lintel
and jambs, and friezes. On either side of the names, there is a trio of lotus. The lotus (sesen) would open up
under the sun, and close under darkness. The pediment above has the vulture wings outspread, with two cobras,
and the sun disc. The cobra (uraeus) was believed to spit fire, and was associated with the faro, and the sun. The
bronze doors should be cedar.
At Lake View, here is the same motif, but with more feathers. This winged sun disc of Thebes, as with many
Egyptian symbols changed associations over the millenia of use. So whether one insists it is a symbol of Ra or
Horus, or someone else—fine. The block pediment is supported by two Egyptian columns.
Here in a tallish upright stone, with a curved scroll top, is the same motif. On the opposite side are the vulture
wings with a scarab (dung beetle). The scarab rolling its ball of shit was analogous to the sun rolling through the
sky.
Stained Glass
.
Some mausoleums have stained glass windows.
These windows take up Egyptian designs. The recurring vulture wings, spears and a head with a cobra crown,
all in art deco. The one below, takes the lotus blossoms, and vulture wings to the earlier art nouveau style.