Bust of Cleopatra

Created in 1914, this striking Parian porcelain bust of Cleopatra showcases Isaac Broome's mastery of the medium that defined much of his career. Broome, an American sculptor and ceramic artist who worked extensively with Ott and Brewer and later Trent Tile Company, became renowned for his Parian porcelain pieces in the late 19th century. By 1914, when this piece was made, Broome was 78 years old and working in a style that had reached its peak popularity during America's Centennial era. Parian, named for its resemblance to marble from the Greek island of Paros, was a type of unglazed porcelain prized for creating elegant, translucent sculptural works. Broome's fascination with historical and allegorical subjects—evident in his other documented works like busts of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington—finds dramatic expression in this portrayal of Egypt's legendary queen. The substantial size of this bust, over two feet tall, demonstrates Broome's technical skill in handling large-scale Parian work. Creating such a piece late in his career suggests his continued engagement with classical subjects and his enduring mastery of a medium that had made him one of America's most celebrated ceramic artists.