An important feature of the décor in the State Rooms is the clocks. They are pendulum clocks made in Paris, so called pendules. At the Saxon court, they were arranged in pairs, strictly symmetrically, facing each other and very prominent. That was most unusual and not in tune with contemporary practice. The cases and pedestals of the two clocks in this room are decorated with tortoiseshell and brass inlay, known as Boulle marquetry. But what’s really special about these pieces are the amazing engravings. Feel free to examine them in detail and appreciate the incredible delicacy and great vividness of the work. But let me repeat our request: please confine yourself to looking and don’t touch. Thank you.
Do take a moment to look at the two mirrors. The one by the windows has magnificent gold etchings on a red ground, and its glass mouldings and mounts, decorated using the Amelierung technique, are of a quality truly fit for royalty. The same holds true for the imagery on the frames. The many epigrams and sun symbols in the medallions are references to the Sun King, Louis the Fourteenth of France.
The mirror hanging above the fireplace has a cut glass frame. That’s unusual, because normally, the priority when choosing the furnishings was to ensure the items matched. But in this case, they made an exception, because the cut-glass mirror here in the Second Anteroom created a kind of transition to the Audience Chamber, where three other mirrors of this type once hung.
You may also have noticed the large guéridons in the corners of the room. The next track provides an explanation for the state of these pieces.
