"Cybele". France, late 19th century-early 20th century. Biscuit It has some flaws and slight tears. Measurements: 25 x 49 x 20 cm. The goddess Cybele, the Great Mother originated in the Phrygian mythology and inherited by Greeks and Romans, has been represented here in her chariot, driven by two lions mounted by lovebirds. It follows stylistic models of French neoclassicism. The goddess, with an idealized countenance, wields a torch and wears a short, skillfully draped dress. A third little love guarding one of the sides of the chariot. The biscuit group is dynamic and descriptive, recreating itself with the rendering of textures and qualities in each of the details. The lions embody, respectively, Atalanta and Hippomenes. Cybele was considered the personification of the fertile earth, a goddess protector of nature and animals. In Greek mythology, since her figure was already represented by other divinities, this goddess had to be readapted to be integrated into existing myths, to the point that many authors considered her the same character as Rhea, the mother of the gods. Her Roman equivalent was Magna Mater, the Great Mother or Idaea mater ("Mother of Ida"). Her title "Mistress of the Animals", also held by the Minoan Mother Goddess, reveals her archaic Paleolithic roots.