|
The First Art Newspaper on the Net |
![](/images/instagram.png) |
Established in 1996 |
|
Saturday, August 31, 2024 |
|
Cairo restored hieroglyph typecaster tells new stories |
|
|
A man operates a machine which allows the printing of ancient Egyptian inscriptions at the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo on December 10, 2020. The French-made typecasting machine is over a century old, the Egyptian hieroglyphs 5,000 years. Now, in a Cairo workshop, the mechanical marvel has come to life once again. Out of action for about three decades, a massive Foucher hot metal typecaster built in 1902 has been restored to its former glory. Ahmad HASSAN / AFP.
by Emmanuel Parisse
|
CAIRO (AFP).- The French-made typecasting machine is over a century old, the Egyptian hieroglyphs 5,000 years. Now, in a Cairo workshop, the mechanical marvel has come to life once again.
Out of action for about three decades, a massive Foucher hot metal typecaster built in 1902 has been restored to its former glory.
The French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, or IFAO, recently showed off the machine which allows the printing of ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
Over a century ago designers created a font of thousands of hieroglyphs and cast them in lead, so they could be arranged line by line, covered in ink and printed onto paper.
"We managed to restart it in September after several repairs and purchasing new parts," said Mathieu Gousse, the IFAO's publishing director, of the typecaster.
"We were very moved," he told AFP, when he saw an ancient Egyptian symbol, the Ankh or key of life, printed onto paper from one of the letters shaped from molten lead.
"We are at a pivotal moment... when we will be able to transmit knowledge and manual labour skills to a younger generation."
Veteran machine operator Hossam Saad, 63, has come out of retirement to train staff on how to use the machine.
"It's probably the only workshop in the world using this machine, which really doesn't exist anymore," he said.
Hani Moawad, 37, one of the apprentices, was impressed by the device dating back to an age long before modern offset or digital printing technology.
"I've never seen anything like this before, from that era," he marvelled. "And it actually still works perfectly fine.
Gousse, the director, said he would like to collaborate with calligraphers and artists to publish one-off, special edition productions.
The IFAO, founded in 1880, boasts a unique library with some 92,000 volumes in the field of Egyptology, and its archaeologists are deployed around 35 excavation sites throughout Egypt.
© Agence France-Presse
|
|
Today's News
December 16, 2020
Cairo restored hieroglyph typecaster tells new stories
Sotheby's sets new record for Ansel Adams in $6.4 million Photographs sale in NY
German police arrest fugitive twin over museum heist
The Goya Code Chapter 4: Three Kings and an Emperor for the Crown of Spain
Historic scales returned to Scott's Discovery Hut in Antarctica
White Cube opens an exhibition of recent works, many with historical roots, by Imi Knoebel
Christmas gift sparks lifelong passion for puppeteer
2020 Archibald Prize People's Choice award winner announced
William Turner Gallery presents a new series of paintings by Andy Moses
Ann Reinking, dancer, actor, choreographer and Fosse muse, dies at 71
Phillips announces highlights from the January Evening & Day Editions Auctions in London
Hindman's Luxe Holiday Couture Auction presents renowned designers' work & achieves top results
Gannit Ankori named Director of the Rose Art Museum
Sotheby's opens "Contemporary Showcase: My Life Is Pointless by Joan Cornellà"
MFA Boston receives $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment to establish curatorial position for Islamic art
North Carolina Museum of Art announces The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant and new hires
Animation art shows it must be taken seriously after Heritage Auctions' record-setting event
Days after reopening, London theaters must shut
The essential John le Carré
Carol Sutton, a stage and screen actress devoted to New Orleans, dies at 76
Review: This 'Nutcracker' is a fantasy you can enter
Converse Auctions announces Important Chinese New Year Antique Auction
Sundance unveils pandemic lineup, Redford son's final film
Heritage Auctions breaks all-time sports auction record with $22 million event
10 Things to Notice When Examining a Vintage Ring
3 ways to discover the taste of Jamaica snacks, food, and natural energy drink
Oklahoma marijuana laws
|
|
|
|
|
Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography, Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs, Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, . |
|
|
|
Royalville Communications, Inc produces:
|
|
|
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful
|
|