A King is Discovered


Cast Iron Sphinx of Giza Bookends (LEO Design)

On this day in 1922,  British archeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun.  Not only did this discovery set the scientific, historical, and archeological worlds ablaze, but it sparked a revival of “Egyptian Mania” in the decorative arts.

“King Tut” took the throne at the age of 9 or 10 and held it until his death at 18.  The cause of his death is still much-debated:  perhaps a blow to the head during a chariot race, perhaps complications from a broken leg, or, perhaps, congenital health problems related to the fact that he was most-certainly born of an incestuous family relationship.

Although Tutankhamun was only a lesser-king (as Egyptian Pharaohs are compared), his tomb—intact upon discovery—was a wonderment to Westerners hungry for exotic culture and design.  Throughout the West, all manner of Egyptian-inspired design permeated the decorative arts—from architecture to wall paper to bookends, like the pair of cast iron “Sphinxes” shown above.

Click on the photo to learn more about them.

 

LEO Design's Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed.  While we contemplate our next shop location, please visit our on-line store which continues to operate  (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).

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