Egypt—Carlo Gotta | Egyptian Costumes, 24 chromolithographed plates, 1855

Egypt—Carlo Gotta

Scelta Collezione di Costumi Egiziani. Alessandia: Carlo Gotta & Co, 1855

Oblong 8vo (211 x 124mm.), 24 chromolithographed plates depicting traditional Egyptian peoples and dress and renowned sights, with captions, bookplate of Wells, quarter morocco over boards, title and list of plates pasted onto covers, plates slightly stained at margins, some captions faded, binding slightly worn

This colour plate book, produced in Alexandria, exhibits the Italian lithographer Carlo Gotti's rich illustrations of men, women, vistas, and buildings. It fed the Egyptomania that gripped mid-nineteenth-century Europe, showing a woman playing music in the harem, a dancing girl, and a servant girl clad in traditional robes. Gotta also presents soldiers of varying rank and landmarks including Cleopatra's Needle and Pompey's Pillar.