“Egyptian Revival” Style & Liberty and Co.

After Napoleon’s campaigns in Egypt (1798-99) and the subsequent occupation by the British, Europeans became fascinated with ancient Egyptian architecture and furniture. Egyptian ornamentation like scarab beetles, sphinxes, winged lions and lotuses, often with gilding, were applied to modern forms to create the hybrid style referred to as “Egyptian Revival.”

In 1875, Arthur Lasenbury Liberty founded Liberty and Company, a London warehouse selling decorative furnishings from the Far East. The store soon became very fashionable, and Liberty began manufacturing his own products in England. His desire to market beautiful objects to middleclass buyers led him to encourage many Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau designers, making him a key figure in these art movements. The Maltwood's "Wooden Liberty stool and pillow" was created in Europe, circa 1880.

Layla Bloom
Curatorial Assistant

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