Dealers are staging and supporting exhibitions of ancient Egyptian art to commemorate these events.
Shapero Rare Books, Paul Reeves and C20 Vintage Fashion are among those that have contributed stock to the loan exhibition Visions of Ancient Egypt at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, running from September 3-January 1. The show comprises 150 objects that reflect how art and culture have been influenced by ancient Egypt. Next year it will move to Newcastle.
Shapero Rare Books is also participating in Visions of Ancient Egypt at the Sainsbury Centre, contributing an illustrated version of Théophile Gauthier’s novel Le roman de la momie. The text first appeared in parts in Le Moniteur universel in 1857 and was published in book form in 1858. This version has 37 colour illustrations by George Barbier and was wood engraved by Emile Gasperini in 1929. Following the show, it is available for £850.
Call to collectors
The museum put out a call to collectors and the trade earlier this year (ATG No 2532) and many responded. Among the highlights is an illustrated 1929 edition of Théophile Gauthier’s novel Le roman de la momie from Shapero Rare Books and two Victorian hangings from Paul Reeves.
Rupert Wace’s private collection of watercolours by Howard Carter includes this image of painted dummy vases of wood. It was part of the Avoiding Oblivion loan show at Masterpiece and now joins Visions of Ancient Egypt.
Rupert Wace is sending up several watercolours by Howard Carter and photographs by Harry Burton of the excavation from his personal collection to join the show. Unlike those items mentioned above, these will not go on offer following Visions…, but are part of an assortment built up over a number of years.
Over the summer, these pictures starred in Avoiding Oblivion, a special loan exhibition within Masterpiece London, the art and antiques fair.
The multi-media show was curated by Adam Lowe and Charlotte Skene Catling of Factum Arte and placed 500 years of works influenced by ancient Egypt around a plan of the tomb.
Rupert Wace’s private collection includes a series of photographs of the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Harry Burton. Also part of Avoiding Oblivion was Carrying the so-called mannequin (object 116) to the ‘laboratory’. The photograph was taken early in 1923 and published in The Times, February 15, 1923.
Among the exhibits were 14 watercolours by Carter of the discoveries and 50 Burton photographs. The show was dedicated to the fair’s late chairman Philip Hewat-Jaboor, who had worked on it as well.
This enigmatic Egyptian polychrome wood mask dating from the Third Intermediate Period, c.994-700 BC belonged to Thomas M Messner, director of the Guggenheim Museum from 1962-88. It is offered in the catalogue for Yes, wonderful things staged by Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch in collaboration with Claire Brown Art with an asking price of £65,000.
Finally, works are available from the catalogue of “Yes, wonderful things” Egyptian Art from 3000-100BC. Staged by Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch in collaboration with Claire Brown Art, the show ran in July and was well received with many works going to new homes. The full catalogue is available online.
