Pococke, Temple Gallery at Gau and Rock Tomb Near Hajar Silsila, Egypt, 1776, Engraving

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Title: Temple Gallery at Gau and Rock Tomb near Hajar Silsila – Egypt Engraving, 1776 : This antique engraving from … Read more Title: Temple Gallery at Gau and Rock Tomb near Hajar Silsila – Egypt Engraving, 1776 : This antique engraving from 1776 illustrates architectural elements of a temple gallery at Gau (now Qau el-Kebir) and a rock-cut structure near Hajar Silsila, a major quarry and sacred site along the Nile in Upper Egypt. The print, numbered Plate XXV, is part of the Dutch edition of Richard Pococke’s detailed travel account of Egypt and surrounding regions. The upper section of the engraving displays a frontal elevation of six richly ornamented columns, complete with elaborate floral and palm-leaf capitals. The shafts are decorated with recessed panels and symbolic reliefs, indicative of classical Egyptian temple ornamentation. Beneath the column elevation is a plan view showing the base arrangement, column spacing, and structural layout, including an axial doorway. Several types of column base plans are shown below this, including square, engaged, and freestanding styles, each labeled and dimensioned. At the bottom of the print is a drawing of a rock-cut tomb or shrine, carved into a rugged cliff face. The rectangular façade, with a series of doorways, is neatly integrated into the natural rock, a style typical of burial architecture at sites like Hajar Silsila, where temples and shrines were hewn directly into the sandstone cliffs. The Dutch caption reads, "De Platte Grond en het Gezicht der Galdery van een Tempel te Gauw, en eene Grot na by Hajar Silsili," translating to "The ground plan and view of the gallery of a temple at Gau, and a grotto near Hajar Silsila." This engraving reflects Pococke’s interest in both monumental and rock-cut architecture, and his effort to document Egypt’s vast archaeological landscape. from *Beschryving van het Oosten en van eenige andere landen* ( of the East and Some Other Lands), translated and annotated by Ernst Willem Cramerus and published in Utrecht, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam in 1776. Condition report: Very good condition. Light age toning and minimal spotting. Wide margins with strong plate impression. Central fold from original binding is faint. Verso blank. Framing tips: Use a dark wood or black frame with a wide ivory mat to emphasize the architectural detail. This print works well in a study, library, or space focused on ancient monuments or classical architecture. Technique: Engraving Maker: Unknown engraver after Richard Pococke, Netherlands, 1776 See less