Original Cleopatra’s Needle sphinx model sold at auction in September
The 1881 bronze maquette by George John Vulliamy will be auctioned by Harper Field, with no public body confirmed as bidder.
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A piece of Victorian London’s Egyptomania will leave private hands in September. The original bronze maquette used to cast the sphinxes flanking Cleopatra’s Needle on the Victoria Embankment will be sold at auction by Harper Field. The model, created in 1881, was designed by architect George John Vulliamy and cast at Eccleston Iron Works in Pimlico.
The sphinxes themselves were installed facing the obelisk, rather than guarding it as in Egyptian tradition. This error has stood uncorrected for over 140 years. The auction lot also includes the foundry’s visitors’ book, offering a record of the casting process. The seller is a descendant of Henry Young, the foundry’s owner at the time.
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A diplomatic gift with a delayed arrival
Cleopatra’s Needle was gifted to Britain in 1819 by Muhammad Ali, ruler of Egypt, to commemorate British victories over the French. The British government initially declined to fund its transport, leaving the obelisk in Alexandria for nearly six decades. A private sponsor finally arranged its shipment in 1878, using a specially designed vessel.
The obelisk was erected on the Embankment in September 1878 after plans to place it on Parliament Square were abandoned. London Underground objected to the weight of the 200-tonne monument above its tunnels. Before the obelisk was raised, a time capsule was buried at its base, containing a mix of Victorian artefacts.
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What the time capsule contains
The time capsule, buried in 1878, includes a bronze scale model of the obelisk, a complete set of British coinage, and jars of Doulton ware. It also holds a parchment copy of Dr. Birch’s translation of the hieroglyphics, a London Directory, and photographs of twelve Englishwomen, presented by Captain Henry Carter.
Other items range from practical tools, such as a Tangye hydraulic jack used to raise the obelisk, to personal effects like a case of cigars and a box of hairpins. The Illustrated London Times reported the full inventory on 21 September 1878. The capsule remains undisturbed beneath the monument.
No public bidder announced
Harper Field has not disclosed an estimate for the maquette, but similar Victorian artefacts have fetched high prices at auction. No London museum or public institution has announced plans to bid for the model. The auction will proceed without a confirmed public buyer, leaving the maquette’s future ownership uncertain.
The sale raises questions about whether the model should remain in London as part of the city’s historical record. The sphinxes themselves are Grade II listed, but the maquette has no such protection. Its sale could see it leave the city where it was created.
What happens next
The auction will take place in September, with Harper Field handling the sale. Bidders must register in advance, and the maquette will be sold to the highest offer. If no public institution intervenes, the model could enter private hands, potentially outside the UK.
Residents or institutions interested in preserving the maquette in London have until the auction to organise a bid. No formal process exists for public consultation on the sale, but campaigners may seek to raise awareness before the event.
Questions this report answers
+Who designed the sphinxes at Cleopatra’s Needle?
The sphinxes were designed by architect George John Vulliamy and modelled by Charles Henry Mabey. They were cast at Eccleston Iron Works in Pimlico in 1881. The original bronze maquette for the sphinxes is now being auctioned.
+Why were the sphinxes installed backwards?
The sphinxes were installed facing the obelisk, rather than guarding it as in Egyptian tradition. This error occurred during their placement in 1881 and has not been corrected. The mistake has been a point of discussion for over a century.
+What is in the time capsule under Cleopatra’s Needle?
The time capsule, buried in 1878, contains Victorian-era items such as British coinage, a bronze model of the obelisk, jars of Doulton ware, and photographs of Englishwomen. It also includes practical tools and personal effects from the period.
+Will the sphinx maquette stay in London after the auction?
No public institution has announced plans to bid for the maquette. The auction will proceed in September, and the model could leave London if purchased by a private buyer. Its future location remains uncertain.
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