The Oracle
by FALCONET, Étienne-Maurice, Biscuit, height 14 cm
Ceramics underwent unprecedented development in the mid eighteenth century in France, both as a complement to table plate and as ornamentation for interiors. Fine pieces of porcelain from China was everywhere. To reduce imports, a royal porcelain factory was founded in 1753 on the bank of the Seine at S�vres. Etienne Falconet headed the S�vres design studio until 1766. Figurines made of biscuit, or unglazed porcelain, were enormously popular and retained the twisting profile and swirl typical of rococo art.