The design for this centre-piece is illustrated in the 1867 Paris Great Exhibition catalogue, p. 276. In the catalogue, Ernest Royer is refered to as '... whose show, though not extensive, is of great excellence. His productions are of bronze gilt, and the gilding cannot fail to attract notice by its purity and richness. They are all carefully and elaborately finished, while the designs are obviously from the bests artists. M. Ernest Royer aims at special excellence in the style that belongs to a late period of Art; his works are essentially French, but they are pure in design, and very attractive as compositions' (p. 74).