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Made in Egypt - el Gurna Luxor- Mohamed Taaye- Limestone Carving and Pharonic Reproductions
Made in Egypt - Limestone Carving and Pharonic Reproducitons
Artist: Mohamed Ali Mohamed Taaye at el Gurna
One of the master limestone carvers of el gurna is Mohamed Ali Mohamed Taaye who is known as " Mohamed el Agail". He carves on limestone slabs with small tools similar to wood carving tools. While we were there he was reproducing a scene from an Old Kingdom tomb. There were large pieces that were obviously carved with chisel in harder stone.
Mohamed Taaye carves an Old Kingdom Tomb Scene in Limestone
For Pharonic reproductions, he uses a molding process with clay to reproduce small pieces in the round such as ushabtis and this charming interpretraton of the prostrate serving girl spoon that is displayed in the Egyptian Museum.
Mohamed Taaye-Faience Interpretation of Slave Girl Offering a Goose
To make the intial mould a perfect carved piece must be made in stone or perhaps clay. The serving girl is in three pieces. The body is molded, the head which is removable and the goose are carved separately then all are glazed and fired. It was an honor to sit with him and have him pull out the wonderful pieces for us to examine. Currently he does most of his work on order.
Here are some other examples of his work that he showed us at his workshop in el Gurna Luxor. Many of these pieces are still in rough form. I purchased the servant girl and the small statue of the mother and child. I had already purchased two of his ushabti at the Mr. Sobky's Souvenir Stall at the Pyramids Panorama Area.
Mohamel Taaye - Pottery Reproduction Pottery Canopic Jars in Rough
Ushabi and Statues in Pottery and Faience by Mohamed Taaye
Seated Pharaoh in Pottery by Mohamed Taaye
Replica Votive Stele with the Child Horus by Mohamed Taaye
