“Obelisks in Rome,” The "Cleopatra's Needle" in London, originally from Heliopolis and erected by Thutmose III, was gifted to Britain in 1819 by Egypt.

Center to left, Terry Adkins, “Obelisks in Rome,” 2010, marks the enormous monuments brought from ancient Egypt. Performances will take place in this room throughout the run of the show.Credit...Jeenah Moon for The New York Times

 The "Cleopatra's Needle" in London, originally from Heliopolis and erected by Thutmose III, was gifted to Britain in 1819 by Egypt. 

It arrived in London in 1878, sponsored by Sir William James Erasmus Wilson after an initial British decline. The obelisk, made of Aswan granite, stands on the Victoria Embankment. 

Accompanied by sphinxes by George John Vulliamy, it survived World War I damage, visible today...