Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case SC, Shelf 12

Return of the Mahmal from Mecca

Drawing
1865 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
George, Frederick (artist)
Place of origin
Egypt (drawn)

Drawing


Object details

Category
Drawings
Object type
Drawing
TitleReturn of the Mahmal from Mecca (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink and wash
Pen and Ink
Paper
Drawing
Brief description
Drawing, "Return of the Mahmal from Mecca", 1865, by Frederick George
Physical description
Drawing
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.5cm
  • Width: 36cm
Styles
British School
Orientalism
Marks and inscriptions
Signed and inscribed F George Cairo; inscribed on the back with title and R L Merivale [?] Esq with respects F George Cairo May 65
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Shell International and the Friends of the V&A
Object history
According to Rodney Searight: - `Bt Sotheby's April 29th 1968 [(129)] £25 + Commission'. [SD.417-SD.421 were all included in the same lot]
Historical context
The Mahmal was a covered litter borne on a camel as an emblem of royal presence on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. When the caravan returned to Cairo, it made its way through the narrow streets to the Citadel, attracting soldiers, dervishes, holy men, magicians and a crowd of onlookers. Compare SD.421:32. Also compare two drawings by George in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle (nos. 20993 & 22668): one of the Prince of Wales visiting the Pyramids, 1862, attributed on the basis of SD.417, and another of Lord Alfred Paget in Cairo, signed with monogram FG and dated 1875.
Subjects depicted
Pilgrims
Mahmal
Fakirs
Processions
Camels
Places depicted
Egypt
Cairo
Bibliographic references
  • Searight, Rodney, Scarce, Jennifer M., A Middle Eastern journey : artists on their travels from the collection of Rodney Searight, Talbot Rice Art Centre, 1980
  • Conner, Patrick (ed). The Inspiration of Egypt : its influence on British artists, travellers, and designers, 1700-1900. Brighton Borough Council, Brighton, 1983
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
SD.417

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Record createdJune 16, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O155986/return-of-the-mahmal-from-drawing-george-frederick/
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