Further Media
The centrepiece made of partially coloured and gilded bisque porcelain can also be seen in the context of the so-called "Egyptomania". Bisque porcelain is unglazed fired porcelain whose appearance is reminiscent of the marble used in antiquity for making sculptures and as a building material. This marble-like effect of the bisque porcelain can be clearly seen in the two small sphinxes. Did you know that in Ancient Egypt the sphinx was the embodiment of the pharaoh's divine power: the lion with the pharaoh's head was supposed to steadfastly keep watch in front of the pyramids. Greek sagas later told of the Sphinx as a female, riddle-telling, winged beast. In the European adoption of the Sphinx, these hybrids of woman and animal became exotic decorative elements.
However, bisque porcelain could also be decorated in colour, as shown by the fine bowl-shaped centrepiece painted with green palm frond reliefs and stylised golden lotus blossoms. The strict architectural structure and the sparing use of ornamental details were entirely in keeping with the stylistic principles of neo-classicism. The centrepiece, dated around 1821, was made at the Royal Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in Meissen.