Egyptianism

/ɪˈdʒɪp.ʃə.nɪ.zəm/ noun

Definition

The cultural, artistic, or intellectual movement and fascination with ancient Egyptian civilization, style, and aesthetics.

Etymology

From Egyptian (relating to Egypt) plus -ism (a doctrine or practice). The suffix -ism was added to express this as a cultural movement, similar to how Romanticism or Impressionism denote artistic movements.

Kelly Says

Egyptianism exploded during the Victorian era when Napoleon's Egyptian campaign opened Europe's eyes to pharaonic treasures—suddenly, owning Egyptian-themed furniture and artwork became the ultimate sign of sophistication, influencing everything from interior design to jewelry.

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