Description
An architectural interest in ancient Egyptian forms (obelisk, pyramid, etc) and motifs (lotus and palm capitals) arose in part from reports of Napoleon's conquest of Egypt and Admiral Nelson's defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. This interest grew during the first half of the 19th century, and persisted for several decades.
'Egyptian' has proved problematic in terms of whether it is a Style or a Feature (we've listed it in both) and because it can be found in an odd range of local buildings - synagogue, Methodist church and two theatres. Examples include the features mentioned above, and splayed windows (wider at the bottom) , all harking back to ancient Egypt. (Some writers have seen the splayed windows as a Greek rather than Eyptian influence - see Cantacuzino (1970) in the main bibliography.)
Local examples (click to enlarge)
Mikveh (bath house) of former synagogue, King Street
Former synagogue (q.v.), King's Street
Former Theatre Royal,
Guildhall Street
Inside of former synagogue, King Street
Former Methodist chapel,
The Borough; N.B. obelisks and inverted crosses
Orange Street (former theatre)
Orange Street (former theatre)
Orange Street (former theatre)
Orange Street (former theatre)
Orange Street (former theatre)
Synagogue in King's Street - front elevation
Synagogue in King's Street - Mikveh (bath house)
Synagogue in King's Street - interior