Art Institute of Chicago

Centerpiece

Dominick and Haff (American, active 1872–1928)

Date

c. 1880

Medium

Silver and engraved glass

Culture

New York

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This commanding centerpiece, with its glistening winged sphinxes and stylized lotus blossoms on the glass and silver elements, captures the passion for all things Egyptian in both Europe and the United States during the 19th century. Archaeological excavations of Egyptian tombs; the premiere of Verdi’s opera set in Ancient Egypt, Aida ; and the popular Egyptian Court at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia inspired a diverse array of objects, art, and architecture—although surviving examples of Egyptian Revival silver such as this one are rare.

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