Description
Book SynopsisFor more than 200 years, and especially since the rediscovery of ancient Egypt by Europe in the 19th century, the exotic Egyptian style in architecture has been a sign of our fascination with a civilisation that has had a long-lasting and deep-seated influence on British culture. From its fashionable success in the Regency period to its varied uses in the 20th century, Egyptian-style architecture has much to say about what ancient Egypt represents to us.
Egypt in England is the first detailed guide to the use of the Egyptian style in architecture and interiors in England, and to those that survive, most of which can be seen or visited by the public. Fully illustrated, it combines a series of topic essays giving the architectural and Egyptological background to the use of the style with a guide allowing sites to be located, and explaining what can still be seen. A variety of buildings and monuments – from cinema, supermarket, synagogue and factory, to folly, mill, Masonic temple and mausoleum – are highlighted in the book. For those who don't know their architrave from their entablature, or their Anubis from their Uraeus, there are also glossaries of architectural terms and ancient Egyptian deities.
This engaging book is an accessible and practical guide for a general audience, but has enough depth to be useful to scholars in a range of subject areas.
Trade Review'This user-friendly publication should please both curious newcomers who want to explore the quirkier aspects of their local history, and those more familiar with Egyptology who want a handy reference book to dip into.'
Current Archaeology'an intriguing trot, gloriously illustrated, through two centuries of eccentric revivalist architecture.'
The Times'This is a most interestingly comprehensive yet individualistic compendium-cum-guidebook on a prerennially fascinating subject.'
Edward Chaney, The Victorian'This book meets well the needs of the non-specialist cultural tourist who wishes to learn something of the background to Egyptianising buildings while an enthusiast for the legacy of ancient Egypt would need to be a great specialist indeed not to find some fresh visits to pay, or fresh issues to consider.'
John Tait, Egyptian Archaeology... it is a very good read and the colour photography is outstanding.
Ancient Monuments Society NewsletterIn short, this ia an interesting and reliable volume which should prove a useful reference book for architectural or landscape historians but which also offers much of interest to other readers.
Kate Spence, Landscape HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction
Section one: Understanding Egypt in England
1. Architecture: Imhotep in England
2. Cemeteries: Catacombs and cornices
3. Cinemas: The splendour of Luxor
4. Egyptiana: Silver gilt services to sewing machines
5. Egyptology: From antiquary to Egyptologist
6. Freemasonry: Wisdom from the east and the Pharaoh’s apron
7. Hieroglyphs: Writings of priests, words of the gods
Section two: Finding Egypt in England
8. London
9. South East
10. South West
11. East of England
12. East Midlands
13. West Midlands
14. Yorkshire and The Humber
15. North West
Architectural Glossary
Glossary of Egyptian gods and goddesses
