The Ministry of Antiquities announced that to mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the ‘Khedive Cairo’ area, they will place an exact replica of the Khedive Ismail statue. ‘Khedive Cairo’ was first constructed during the era of Khedive Ismail (1830-1895). The ministry agreed with the Cairo governorate to place the imitation statue in the grand arena in front of Abdeen palace. The ministry developed production lines at the Archaeological Models Production Unit to meet increasing purchase orders of models of Egyptian antiquities in domestic and global markets, Taibi added. The Khedive Ismail statue, designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Kalonica during the era of King Fouad I, was a gift from the Italian community in Alexandria to Egypt, in recognition of hosting Italian King Victor Emmanuel III.

Source: Egypt Independent August 20, 2017 15:22 UTC