ALMOST CERTAINLY EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Perfectly suited for the "Crocodile Rock" star, the form of this daybed is intended to evoke an Egyptian river boat raised on crocodile legs, thus epitomizing the ‘Egyptian’ taste which peaked in England during the Regency period around 1806-10. Having been popularized by George Smith’s pattern-book Household Furniture, the fashion for ancient Egyptian motifs were inspired by the archaeological discoveries made during Napoleon's military campaigns of 1798. These monuments were recorded by Baron Vivan Denon in his Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Egypte, and published in London in 1802. Given that Napoleon hoped to reflect his own glory in ancient Egypt's grandeur, the Egyptian style in England became a patriotic symbol of his defeat by Nelson in battles in Egypt (1798) and Trafalgar (1805). The style particularly resonated among patrons such as the Prince of Wales and his immediate circle. A similar daybed was acquired for the Prince Regent's Royal Pavilion at Brighton to honor Director Clifford Musgrave; it is displayed in the Saloon and illustrated in their Guidebook (also illustrated in E. T. Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, London, 1977, p. 92).