Light & Form: Decorative Arts & Photography
By Revere Auctions
Nov 12, 2024
755 Prior Ave N #235C, St Paul, MN, US, United States
This sale features an incredible selection of antique to contemporary photography and decorative arts. Highlights include Nordic ceramics, Murano glass, and studio pottery by artists such as Warren MacKenzie, Gunnar Nylund, Bertil Vallien, Gino Vistosi, and many more. Our photography selection features a remarkable group of press photographs from the archives of the Star Tribune, alongside albumen prints from the 1850s to early 1900s that beautifully capture the ancient art of Egypt.
The auction has ended

LOT 289:

19th c. Albumen Print of Temple of Isis

Sold for: $125
Start price:
$ 100
Estimated price :
$200 - $400
Buyer's Premium: 26% More details
Auction took place on Nov 12, 2024 at Revere Auctions
tags:

19th c. Albumen Print of Temple of Isis
Late 19th to early 20th century albumen photograph print depicting the first pylon and colonnade at the Temple of Isis in Philae, Egypt.

Lot Essay:
These 1855-1900s albumen photographs of "The Rediscovery of Egypt" represent the earliest days of the successful use of commercial photography. For the first time photographic images could be produced from glass plate negatives allowing European travelers to return home with actual images of Egypt's great treasures. Photographers include Felice Beato (Italian/British, 1832-1909), Antonio Beato (Italian/British, ca. 1832-1906), Adelphoi Zangaki (Greece), Jean Pascal Sebah (Syrian/Armenian, 1872-1947), and Maison Bonfils (France).

Many of the images offered in this sale capture ruins and artifacts that have since collapsed, moved to museums or, in some cases, are under water. The remarkable series of photographs of the Great Sphinx of Giza show it in various states of revelation - from seeing only its head to its excavation and re-excavation, until the now well-known lion's paws were finally revealed. There are additionally many photographs of hieroglyphics, temple ruins, and the Great Pyramid.

Sight; height: 5 7/8 in x width: 7 3/4 in. Matted; height: 14 1/8 in x width: 17 1/8 in.
Condition: There are no visible tears, losses, or restorations. Light creases throughout. Housed between two non-acidic mats. With plastic sleeve wrapped around and affixed to the verso of the matboard. Not inspected out of matting.