SCRIBE - Bronze Sphinx Bookends - Grand Modèle. c. 1930

Very rare pair of bronze bookends reflecting the Egyptomania after discovering of the Tutankhamun grave in 1922. Top quality detailed bronze on very fine Portoro marble by the mythical sculptor Scribe c. 1930.
 
The Sphinx is a mythical creature with origins in ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology. It is typically depicted as a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human or another animal, often with wings. The most famous representation of the Sphinx is the Great Sphinx of Giza, located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt, which has the body of a lion and the head of a human, believed to represent the Pharaoh Khafre.
 
In ancient Egypt, the Sphinx was often depicted as a guardian figure, placed at the entrances of temples or other important structures to protect them from evil forces. The Great Sphinx of Giza is one such example, believed to guard the pyramids and their treasures.
 
The Sphinx has fascinated many due to its enigmatic presence, with interpretations and symbolic meanings varying across cultures and time periods. Its human-animal hybrid form is often seen as a symbol of wisdom, strength, and mystery.
 
In November 1922, while excavating in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, Howard Carter,  the British archaeologist and Egyptologist, discovered the nearly intact tomb of Tutankhamun. The discovery of this tomb was extraordinary because it had remained largely undisturbed for over 3,000 years, filled with a wealth of artifacts and treasures. The tomb's contents provided significant insights into ancient Egyptian culture, art, and burial practices.
 
The unearthing of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 sparked what became known as "Egyptomania" in the Western world. The treasures and artifacts found in the tomb, including jewelry, sculptures, furniture, and other ornate items, had a profound impact on art, fashion, and design during the Art Deco period. The imagery and motifs of ancient Egyptian art, with its geometric shapes, stylized forms, and intricate patterns, inspired artists and designers of the time. Some artists and designers incorporated Egyptian motifs and symbols discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb into their work. This influence can be seen in jewelry designs, architectural elements, furniture, and decorative arts of the Art Deco era. Geometric shapes, stylized lotus flowers, sphinxes, pyramids , and other Egyptian-inspired symbols appeared in various Art Deco creations.