The Egyptian Government's Konouz (meaning "Treasure" in Arabic) factory is located in Obour, east of Cairo. The factory grounds cover an area of 10,000 m2Here, artisans focus on producing thousands of replicas of antiques from many types of materials such as plaster, wood, stone, ceramic, gold...
Konouz factory makes replicas of Egyptian antiquities.
Egypt’s souvenir market has been dominated for years by cheap Chinese imports, and the government is trying to meet tourists’ demand for quality products.
A technician crafts a replica of an ancient Egyptian statue.
The Konouz factory produces furniture, statues and paintings from the four main periods of Egyptian heritage: Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic. The replicas are made in 1:1 scale or miniature form, and are distributed with official certificates of authenticity issued by the Government.
When circulated, copies will be accompanied by an official certificate of authenticity issued by the Government.
The factory is run by a retired general who oversees about 150 workers, painters, cabinetmakers, sculptors and designers.
A graphic designer edits a computerized image of the mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Technician crafts a replica bust of Queen Nefertiti.
The process of painting the copies.
Technician crafts replica of an ancient statue.
A replica of the sandals found in Tutankhamun's tomb was made at the Konouz factory.
A copy after fabrication.
Technicians paint replicas of antiques.
In 2015, the Egyptian Ministry of Industry banned the import of popular art and products, including models of Egyptian antiquities, as a measure to protect local handicrafts from competition from cheap foreign products.
Copies after completion.
A shop selling replicas of ancient Egyptian statues.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Khaled el-Enani has welcomed the recovery in tourist arrivals to Egypt, with around 500,000 tourists arriving each month since the start of April, more than double the number in January and up significantly from the average of 200,000 tourists per month in 2020.
