What characterises Victorian Egyptian Revival metalware?

Egyptian Revival decor emerged in response to 19th-century archaeological discoveries, incorporating classical iconography such as sphinxes, scarabs, and pharaonic motifs into decorative metalwork and home accessories.

How were 19th-century silver-plated sculptures constructed?

These objects were typically cast in base metals like bronze, brass, or Britannia metal before undergoing electroplating with fine silver, often mounted on heavy leaded glass or marble bases for weight.

How can you identify authentic Victorian silver-plated ornaments?

Authentic 19th-century pieces often feature Victorian registration marks, makers stamps, or date engravings, alongside signs of natural wear where the underlying base metal shows through elevated areas of the plating.

How do you style an Egyptian Revival sculpture in a modern interior?

Position the sculpture on an office desk, a stacked set of art books, or a mantelpiece to serve as a focal point, pairing it with dark wood furniture and brass accents to enhance its historical aesthetic.

How should silver-plated metalware on glass bases be cleaned and preserved?

Dust regularly with a soft microfibre cloth and clean the silvered surfaces gently using a mild silver polish, avoiding harsh chemicals or submerging the piece in water to protect the glass mount.

for sale €1,024 $1,111

£875

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Id #SA1244318

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Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Name: Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1244318
Price: 875 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

A fine quality English Empire Revival silver-plated figure of a recumbent sphinx sculpture set on an attractive rectangular crystal beveled edge plinth, stamped with the British Registry Design Lozenge Number and Date chart for 1864.

The sphinx is finely cast and consists of the body of a lion and the head of a King or God, this being symbolic of strength and wisdom.

It is a fine piece which will look beautiful wherever placed.

Condition:

In excellent condition; please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 9 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 7 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 3 inches

Empire symbols.

The Consular period in France began in November 1799 when the Directory was overthrown in a bloodless coup and replaced by three consuls, including Napoleon. This overthrow followed a series of military disasters and insurrections that led to a breakdown of faith in the government. A few weeks after the coup, Napoleon was named First Consul. In 1802, he was named First Consul for life, and in December 1804 Napoleon crowned himself Emperor. The period of his reign as Emperor, from May 1804 to June 1815, is known as the Empire period.

Napoleon, having gained his position through his political and military achievements, used artists, designers and architects to promote and legitimise his regime. He appointed Charles Percier (1764–1838) and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine (1762–1853) as the official architects and designers of the Empire period, and they became major exponents of the Empire style.

Design of the Consular and Empire periods was characterised by militaristic elements – symbols of war and victory, imperial emblems, such as the golden eagle, classical palm leaves and laurel wreaths. These symbols of power made a direct visual connection between the regime and the glory and authority of the ancient Roman emperors.

Sphinxes, winged lions and creatures with heads of eagles were employed as table legs and armrests on chairs. Broad, austere surfaces of exotic woods were ornamented with motifs in marquetry and ormolu (gilt-bronze), and the heavy, monumental style of the furniture reflected a grandiose magnificence. Heavy bases accentuated a monumental appearance, and symmetry was closely followed. At the height of the Empire period, the style was majestic.

Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign brought about a craze in France for all things Egyptian. The detailed drawings of art and architecture published on his return by artist and archaeologist Dominique-Vivant Denon led to the incorporation of Egyptian motifs in the furniture and decorative arts of the following decades.

As well as military, Egyptian and Classical imagery, the Empire period also embraced opulence and imagery of love, sensuality and seduction: the swan – one of the forms the god Zeus took to seduce mortal women; the lyre – an instrument of art and seduction; and bows and arrows – the tools of Cupid.

Swans, also emblems of Venus and the adopted symbol of Josephine, were employed as armrests or as entire arms of chairs. Aspects of the myth of Cupid and Psyche were also a common theme. The butterfly symbolising both Psyche and the soul was a recurrent motif.

Other symbols and motifs of the Empire period included the bee, a symbol of immortality and resurrection, specifically chosen by Napoleon to link his new Empire to the very origins of France; the cornucopia or horn of plenty; images of Mars and Venus symbolising love and peace brought about through military success, and the initials of the Emperor and Empress – N for Napoleon and J for Josephine.

The Empire style achieved great popularity and was adopted in courts throughout Europe. In England, it was known as the Regency style.

Our reference: A5468

Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture to the 1860s.

Independent Date Check ID 09710226

Dealer's Item Date1860s

Sellingantiques Date1860s

Sellingantiques agingItem 155-170 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:

British design registration diamond on the haunch: registered in the 1860s.

Silver plating worn to base metal on high points: long handling.

Bevelled heavy glass base: mid-Victorian desk ornament manufacture.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions

Height

9cm (3.54")

Width

15cm (5.91")

Depth

7cm (2.76")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1244318

Dealers Internal Reference

A5468

Description

“

The sphinx is finely cast and consists of the body of a lion and the head of a King or God, this being symbolic of strength and wisdom.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 1. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

It is a fine piece which will look beautiful wherever placed.

Condition:

In excellent condition; please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 9 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 7 cm

Dimensions in inches:

fig 2. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 2. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Height 3 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 3 inches

Empire symbols.

The Consular period in France began in November 1799 when the Directory was overthrown in a bloodless coup and replaced by three consuls, including Napoleon. This overthrow followed a series of military disasters and insurrections that led to a breakdown of faith in the government. A few weeks after the coup, Napoleon was named First Consul. In 1802, he was named First Consul for life, and in December 1804 Napoleon crowned himself Emperor. The period of his reign as Emperor, from May 1804 to June 1815, is known as the Empire period.

fig 3. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 3. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Napoleon, having gained his position through his political and military achievements, used artists, designers and architects to promote and legitimise his regime. He appointed Charles Percier (1764–1838) and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine (1762–1853) as the official architects and designers of the Empire period, and they became major exponents of the Empire style.

fig 4. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 4. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Design of the Consular and Empire periods was characterised by militaristic elements – symbols of war and victory, imperial emblems, such as the golden eagle, classical palm leaves and laurel wreaths. These symbols of power made a direct visual connection between the regime and the glory and authority of the ancient Roman emperors.

fig 5. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 5. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Sphinxes, winged lions and creatures with heads of eagles were employed as table legs and armrests on chairs. Broad, austere surfaces of exotic woods were ornamented with motifs in marquetry and ormolu (gilt-bronze), and the heavy, monumental style of the furniture reflected a grandiose magnificence. Heavy bases accentuated a monumental appearance, and symmetry was closely followed. At the height of the Empire period, the style was majestic.

fig 6. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 6. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign brought about a craze in France for all things Egyptian. The detailed drawings of art and architecture published on his return by artist and archaeologist Dominique-Vivant Denon led to the incorporation of Egyptian motifs in the furniture and decorative arts of the following decades.

fig 7. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 7. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

As well as military, Egyptian and Classical imagery, the Empire period also embraced opulence and imagery of love, sensuality and seduction: the swan – one of the forms the god Zeus took to seduce mortal women; the lyre – an instrument of art and seduction; and bows and arrows – the tools of Cupid.

fig 8. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 8. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Swans, also emblems of Venus and the adopted symbol of Josephine, were employed as armrests or as entire arms of chairs. Aspects of the myth of Cupid and Psyche were also a common theme. The butterfly symbolising both Psyche and the soul was a recurrent motif.

fig 9. A 19th-century silver-plated sphinx figurine with detailed engraving, mounted on a thick bevelled green glass base. — fig 9. Antique English Silver Plated Sphinx Sculpture Dated 1864 19th C

Other symbols and motifs of the Empire period included the bee, a symbol of immortality and resurrection, specifically chosen by Napoleon to link his new Empire to the very origins of France; the cornucopia or horn of plenty; images of Mars and Venus symbolising love and peace brought about through military success, and the initials of the Emperor and Empress – N for Napoleon and J for Josephine.

The Empire style achieved great popularity and was adopted in courts throughout Europe. In England, it was known as the Regency style.

Our reference: A5468