Antique Grand Tour Souvenir Luxor Obelisk Place de la Concorde Paris

Description

In 1830, Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Ottoman Egypt, officially gave the Luxor Obelisk to France as a gesture of friendship.
The obelisk is one of a pair carved by Rameses II and stood at the entrance to Luxor Temple in Egypt.
In 1831 it was transported by a custom-built ship back to France.
It arrived in Paris in 1833 and was erected in 1836 at the center of Place de la Concorde Paris.
The choice of the Concorde was because that spot was iconic and emotionally charged, not least for having been the main location of the guillotine during the French Revolution.
The moving and re-erection of the 75’ tall obelisk made of a single piece of red granite was a Herculean effort, due in part to its weight exceeding 200 tons.
The process of how it was all done is inscribed on the plinth built to hold the monument.
This is one of a large three piece set of high quality Paris monuments being listed separately.
This one is dated circa 1880 and was no doubt made for the tourist trade who were flocking to European historical sites in that era.
The casting is Larger than usual and that allows for it to be highly detailed with hieroglyphics.
It is 15” tall including its 4.5” square slate base.
The condition is above average and unlike so many of them; it retains the fence originally surrounding the base.
Please look carefully at the pictures and request additional pictures or specific information if needed.
The overall condition is rather good considering it is pushing 150 years old.
Please use the pictures as the best description of condition.
Questions are always welcome. Shipping is by USPS Priority Mail to the lower 48 and combined shipping is always an option.