Calissomine [?] Egyptien before 1828

This is a design for an object titled 'Calissomine Egyptien' by the Belgian artist Pierre Félix van Doren, made sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The work gives us an insight into the fascination with ancient Egypt that gripped Europe following Napoleon's Egyptian campaigns. Van Doren's design blends the aesthetics of ancient Egypt, particularly the scarab beetles, with European Rococo sensibilities, seen in the floral motifs and flowing ribbons. It’s likely that this design was intended for an ornamental object, perhaps a plate or piece of furniture, catering to the fashion for 'Egyptomania' that swept through the decorative arts. To truly understand this piece, we can look into the design trends of 19th-century Europe, exploring sources like design books, exhibition catalogs, and trade publications. By examining the social and cultural context, we can unpack the meanings embedded in this object and appreciate its significance in the history of design and cultural exchange.