If you’re a London egyptophile with a very deep pocket, something special is coming up for sale at auction in September. It’s the original scale model (maquette) used to design the two Bronze sphinxes that sit on the Embankment, flanking Cleopatra’s Needle. Cleopatra’s Needle was presented to the Prince Regent in 1819 by the ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali, as a diplomatic gift to mark British victories over the French in Egypt. Bronze model of the obelisk (to scale), cast and presented by Mr. Joseph Whitley, of Leeds. But back to the auction, as Harper Field are selling the original bronze sphinx maquette and the foundry visitors’ book.