original c. 1920's antique american egyptian revival hand-painted paper mache civic opera house stage prop

unusual c. 1920's american art deco paper mache egyptian pharaoh head with original hand painted polychrome painted finish hand-crafted by artists employed under the civic opera company of chicago. inventory and/or prop placement markings are found on the backside of the head in bold black paint. the egyptian revival style prop is reinforced with an internal wood frame. the prop was originally apart of a vast collection of numerous sets, costumes, stage equipment, etc. the chicago civic opera company were involved in all aspects of stages, stage scenery, backdrops, costumes and props that were designed, constructed, painted and detailed on site or in their main facility or shop. costumes were handmade, steam-cleaned and stored on racks or in large wooden cases. the factory or shop was designed for the necessary construction and storage of over 100 complete operas. the chicago-based opera warehouse building served as the set, stage and costume fabrication and storage facility for the lyric opera of chicago (previously the civic opera and even earlier as the chicago grand opera) for over 80 years. the building was designed by the architectural firm of graham, anderson, probst & white. built in sections between 1912 and 1924, the building was specially designed to accommodate the unique demands of large-scale opera sets, with oversized ceilings, concrete floors, and huge freight elevators. over the years, hundreds of sets, backdrops, costumes, equipment and staging were designed, rigged, repaired and stored for use by the opera. the many costume designers, tradespeople, set and stage designers and builders brought to life representations of love, struggle, war, celebration, and of course song. opera companies around the world collaborated with the lyric opera and its predecessors and utilized the facility as well. the building overflowed with every manner of stage and set, from costumes to carriages and faux villas to italian promenades. very rare and highly desirable piece.