Pareglio & Ayres Antiques Interiors has dated these David Roberts Cairo Lithographs to the 19th Century.
This landmark series represents the pinnacle of 19th-century travel art. The scenes were sketched on-site by the world-renowned Scottish painter David Roberts, R.A. (1796–1864) and meticulously transferred directly onto lithographic printing stones by the master Victorian printmaker Louis Haghe.
The Matching Pair Comprises From the Egypt Portfolio:
1. Interior of the Mosque of the Metwalis, Cairo – Capturing the majestic, soaring architecture and figures of mid-19th-century Egypt.
2. Bazaar of the Street Leading to the Mosque El-Mooristan, Cairo – A bustling, detailed street-level scene showcasing the commerce and daily life of the historic district.
What elevates this pair into a highly collectible tier for interior designers and connoisseurs is their outstanding, un-opened provenance. Both pieces remain housed in their original, late-Victorian frames dating from the 1890s.
The reverse of each frame proudly retains its original, highly ornate 19th-century trade label from the prestigious West End picture framers H. Alden & Co., located at 29 James Street, Oxford Street, London. Operating at the absolute heart of London’s historic art district, this workshop serviced elite Victorian art patrons. The backing paper and tape remain completely un-opened and undisturbed, preserving over a century of genuine gallery history.
Presented in completely original, "as-found" English country house condition. Reflecting their true Victorian history, the lithographs were historically trimmed in the late 19th century to fit these specific bespoke frames, which was standard practice for folio plates framed during the era.
The paper shows genuine, age-related patination, including areas of foxing (brown spotting) and historic moisture lines visible through the glass. A few tiny, historic thunderflies/insects are trapped under the glass near the margins of one of the pictures, serving as ironclad visual proof of the un-tampered, sealed nature of these late-Victorian frames.
The lithographs feature a beautiful, sun-mellowed tonal palette. This softer, monochromatic quality accentuates the fine architectural linework of the Cairo structures, creating an elegant, understated aesthetic that is highly adaptable for modern or traditional high-end interior design.
A rare opportunity to acquire a time-capsule pair of original David Roberts folio prints from his master Holy Land & Egypt series, complete with verified London British picture mount and frame maker.
Dimensions: Height: 58cm x Width: 42cm (including frame).
Artist Biography: David Roberts RA (Scottish, 1796–1864)
David Roberts was one of the 19th century’s most celebrated landscape and architectural painters. Elected as a Royal Academician in 1841, he is best remembered for his groundbreaking tour of Egypt and the Near East between 1838 and 1840. Roberts was among the first major Western artists to extensively document these remote regions, capturing ancient ruins and vibrant local culture with unparalleled accuracy and dramatic scale.
Upon his return to Britain, his sketches were published as a monumental series of lithographs, The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia. This definitive body of work sparked a lifelong European fascination with Orientalist art. Today, Roberts’ work is highly sought after by fine art collectors and is held in major permanent museum collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery and the Royal Academy.
Pareglio & Ayres Antiques Interiors has dated these David Roberts Cairo Lithographs to the 19th Century.
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David Roberts Ra First Folio Pair of 19th C. Cairo Lithographs (Louis Haghe) in Original H. Alden & Co. Frames
