Antique Painted Metal Statue of an Egyptian Pharoah

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Public interest in Egyptian décor surged twice in the 20th century—after Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922 and during worldwide … Read more Public interest in Egyptian décor surged twice in the 20th century—after Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922 and during worldwide "Egyptomania" amid the international tours of his treasures in the 1970s. In both periods, foundries produced painted metal replicas of famous pharaohs for boutiques, department stores, and tourists.
Medium-sized decorative statues like this one typically depicted major pharaohs like Tutankhamun or Ramesses II, as indicated by features such as the nemes headdress and ceremonial beard. These statues imitate the ancient "ka" statue tradition, with painted metal mimicking stone materials used in antiquity.
The hexagonal name on the base is probably the manufacturer’s mark, common among commercial replicas made for the antique trade, especially in Luxor, from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. Although not an ancient artifact, the statue is likely around a hundred years old—a reminder of the enduring fascination with Egypt’s wonders.
Signature/Maker’s mark: On statue base (photo #11). See less