SABRY MAROUF ARTEFACTS
AMARNA
Our debut collection of luxury modern artefacts born from a passion for reinvigorating symbols of the past and creating new meanings to contemporary forms.
Three iconic symbols - The Nemes headpiece, Djed and Scarab - Come to life as immaculately crafted wearable artefacts.
CULTURAL HERITAGE INNOVATION
The ancient Egyptians pioneered the notion luxury. They were masters of their craft, in every sense. As their contemporaries, we set out transforming the essence of royal artist Thutmose's style into a new design language and very special product.
Captivated by King Akhenaten and Nefertiti's Amarna movement which brought about a revolutionary era in religion, art and society. We find this story of conviction, love, enlightenment, creativity and ultimate destruction of the their city of Amarna which embodied all of these new artistic movements, remarkable.
Surrounding themselves with artists, who for the first time were allowed to develop their own style, art moved from the rigid and dogmatic into a more humanist direction full of movement and new concepts.
The royal sculptor Thutmose is the most renowned of this unique period, which played out for just two decades before Amarna was deserted. His bust of Nefertiti was discovered by Ludwig Borchardt in 1912.
Shown above are limestone busts of Akhenaten and Nefertiti originally found inside Thutmoses' excavated workshop, now the in Neues Museum, Berlin. Expressive Realism like this had never been seen before in Egypt and lasted only through their reign, not being being seen again until the Greco-Roman period in Egypt.
And shown here is an intimate and affectionate portrayal of two princesses distinct to the Amarna period. Facsimile painting of the preserved lower wall in the King’s house, by Nina de Garis Davies.
COMBINING PAST AND PRESENT
What really characterises our collection is the journey we’re setting out on to make sense of our heritage using the tools available to us today.
Merging the latest processes with artisanal hand technique, Amarna is the result of a long process of actualisation. The bags are unique shapes within the conventions of traditional leather goods so the designs require considerable time and skill.
THE DJED, A MINAUDIERE.
Inspired by the Djed Pillar, the symbolic backbone of Osiris representing stability.
Hand-moulded Italian Nappa leather contrasts the custom plexiglass structure developed to feel like precious stones from ancient Egypt. A detachable briefcase-style handle and interchangeable gold-plated chain-strap makes the Djed versatile to wear as a minaudière, shoulder bag, or clutch. The interior is fully-lined in suede, with a slip pocket for your essentials.
THE TUT, TOP-HANDLE CARRIER
The King Tut bag is an inversion of the iconic Tutankhamun mask, reworked as a graphic form becoming a signature contemporary totem.
The King Tut bag is a daily hand-carry style in hand-moulded full-grain nappa leather with sustainably sourced magnetic wood handle to retain its exact silhouette, and a spacious, fully lined suede interior to fit all of your daily essentials.
THE SCARAB, A VERSATILE TAKE-ME-ALONG.
A symbol of rebirth and protection, appearing on amulets, seals, gems and carvings throughout ancient Egypt.
The scarab is a structured mini-bag handcrafted in moulded full-grain Italian Nappa leather. Carry as a top handle using the leather top-handle strap or on-shoulder by interchanging with the included brass chain-strap.
Commission a one-off
This is your invitation to own a singular expression of contemporary heritage.
