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Transporting the obelisk: procession for Cleopatras needle
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Transporting the obelisk: procession for Cleopatras needle
The procession, on Lord Mayors Day, with Cleopatras Needle passing down Gracechurch Street, London. Date: August 1878
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Media ID 14270655
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1878 Cleopatra Decorations Gracechurch Mayor Mayors Needle Obelisks Pageant Pageantry Pageants Parade Passing Process Procession Spectators Tradition Traditions
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph depicts a grand procession making its way down Gracechurch Street in London on Lord Mayor's Day, August 1878. At the heart of the procession, an ancient obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle is being transported, adding an air of historical significance to the event. Dating back to ancient Egypt, the obelisk was originally discovered in Heliopolis and later presented to the United Kingdom by the Egyptian Viceroy, Ragheb Pasha, in 1877. The procession is a spectacular sight, with ornately decorated carriages, horses, and various pageant wagons adorned with flowers and foliage, reflecting the rich traditions and pageantry of the 1870s. The 19th century buildings lining the street provide a striking backdrop, their facades framing the scene and emphasizing the grandeur of the occasion. A large crowd has gathered to witness the spectacle, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement. Children stand at the front, their small bodies pressed against the railings, eager to catch a glimpse of the passing procession. The atmosphere is festive, with the sound of laughter, music, and the occasional cheer filling the air. The obelisk, standing tall and proud, is carefully transported along the street, its ancient hieroglyphics and intricate carvings visible for all to see. The procession marks the beginning of a new chapter in the obelisk's history, as it makes its way to its final resting place in Victoria Embankment Gardens, where it remains a cherished symbol of the rich cultural exchange between Egypt and the United Kingdom.
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