Egyptian Room, Royal Arch Masonic Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Egyptian Room, Royal Arch Masonic Temple |
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The Egyptian room, Freemason Hall in Petersham, 2014
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| Location | 23-35 New Canterbury Road, Petersham, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | A. Phipps Coles |
| Official name: Egyptian Room Scottish Temple; The Egyptian Room within the Scottish Royal Arch Temple; Masonic Temple | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 118 |
| Type | Hall Masonic |
| Category | Community Facilities |
| Builders | Sculptor: G Raynor Hoff (sculptor) Charles Everett (decoration) G. R. Lumb and Sons (plaster modelling) |
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The Egyptian Room, Royal Arch Masonic Temple is a unique meeting room in Petersham, Sydney, Australia. It's famous for its amazing decorations that look like ancient Egypt. This special room was designed by A. Phipps Coles. It was first built in 1927 in College Street, Sydney. Later, in 1977, it was carefully moved and rebuilt in Petersham. Many skilled artists worked on it, including G. Raynor Hoff (sculptor) and Charles Everett (decorator). The room is so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: The Egyptian Room's Story
The Egyptian Room was first created in 1927. It was part of the Scottish Royal Arch Temple in College Street, Sydney. The design came from architect Mr. A. Phipps Coles.
Many talented people helped build it. Mr. G. Rayner Hoff, a famous sculptor, worked on it. He is also known for his work on the Sydney War Memorial. Charles Everett was the decorator, and G.R. Lumb and Sons did the plaster work and painting.
In 1969, the original building in College Street was going to be pulled down. So, the plaster decorations of the Egyptian Room were carefully removed. They were put into storage to keep them safe.
Dr. F.J. Radcliff, a leader of the Masons, planned to move the room. In 1977, a new home was found in the Royal Arch Temple in Petersham. The same company, G.R. Lumb and Sons, helped put the room back together.
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) recognized the room's importance in 1979. Because of its special history, it was officially protected on 12 December 1980. This protection was later moved to the State Heritage Register in 1999.
Discover the Egyptian Room's Design
Inside the Scottish Royal Arch Masonic Temple, you'll find the "Egyptian Room." It's decorated just like buildings from Ancient Egypt. A big, long picture called a frieze is the main feature. It shows scenes from an ancient Egyptian scroll called the Papyrus of Ani. This scroll dates back to about 1450 BC.
The decorations are carved into the plaster. They are painted in rich, bright colors that look like real ancient Egyptian art.
The Papyrus of Ani Story
The frieze tells a story from the Papyrus of Ani. It shows the funeral and burial of a scribe named Ani. It also shows what ancient Egyptians believed happened to his soul after death. These scenes come from a text often called "The Book of the Dead." Its real name is "The Book of Coming Forth By Day." This means coming out into the light of the afterlife.
Ancient Egyptians used these scrolls as "guide books" for the soul. They believed the soul would face challenges after death. These challenges included meeting different spirits or demons. Then, the soul would face judgment. If found worthy, it would have a new life.
The Papyrus of Ani was found around 1935. It was written for Ani, who was an important scribe. His wife, Tutu, also appears in some of the pictures.
The artists chose parts of the long Papyrus of Ani for the room. The frieze shows Ani's journey. It starts with his funeral on the left wall. It ends with his judgment in the Hall of Truth on the east wall.
The Judgment Scene
On the east wall, above the Master's chair, is the judgment scene. Here, Ani's soul, shown as his heart, is weighed. It's placed on a scale against a feather. The feather represents truth and fairness (Maat).
The jackal-headed god, Anubis, holds the scale. If Ani's heart is heavier than the feather, he is condemned. But if his heart is found "righteous," he passes the test. Then, he is taken to Osiris in the Hall of Truth.
Other Egyptian Details
The rest of the room also has Egyptian designs. For example, above the Junior Warden's Chair is a carving. It shows a worshipper giving an offering to Osiris. This carving is based on an ancient stone tablet from about 1200 BC.
Tall pillars stand around the room. They are designed in the classic Egyptian style. Gold leaf, which is very thin gold, shines brightly in the decorations.
Changes Over Time
- 1927: The room was first built at College Street, Sydney.
- 1969: The plaster work was carefully stored away.
- 1977: The room was rebuilt in the Royal Arch Masonic Temple in Petersham.
Why the Egyptian Room is Special
The Egyptian Room in Petersham is truly one-of-a-kind. Its beautiful frieze perfectly copies pictures from the Papyrus of Ani. This ancient Egyptian text is from about 1450 BC. The decorations are carved with great detail. They are painted in rich, real Egyptian colors. Pillars with lotus flower tops support decorative bands. These bands have stylish Egyptian patterns and designs.
Other Masonic rooms might have Egyptian themes. But the size and detail of this room are unique in Australia. It's rare to find such rich and large decorations still existing today. This is true not just for Masonic Temples, but for large decorated rooms in general.
The Egyptian Room, Royal Arch Masonic Temple, was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
