Raised on a baroque base with a later green marble plinth and brass feet.

17 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.

Note: The ancient Egyptians built the first obelisk. They carved them in stone in pairs to stand at the entrance of temples as sacred objects that symbolized the sun god, Ra. The oldest surviving obelisk dates from the reign of Sesostris (1918-1875 b.c.e) and stands at Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo, where the temple of Re once stood. The city of Rome currently displays the most ancient obelisks in the world, eight of them are ancient Egyptian and five ancient Roman, along with some modern examples.

 

In good overall condition with age splits along the marble base and very few small nicks on the porphyry. Fine quality.Not withstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.