Bas-relief portion of frieze with the 'Libation of Asiatic Sphinx' in terra cotta

The photographed bas-relief shows a scene of 'Libation of Asiatic Sphinx', conveying a mythological or symbolic act through terra cotta art. The subject's specifics, such as the sphinx's 'Asiatic' designation, may imply cultural or artistic exchange themes, though the photograph's primary purpose was documentation rather than interpretive emphasis.

Laffon's photograph exemplifies mid-19th-century Realism in photography, characterized by straightforward, detailed documentation of the subject. The image's clarity and focus on the terra cotta's texture and form highlight the photographic style's emphasis on accuracy and realism.

Acquired by the V&A in 1864 as part of a 500-work purchase from Laffon, this photograph was originally part of her series documenting the Campana Collection in Paris. Laffon's work was sourced through agent Monsieur E. Cappe, illustrating the museum's early, global approach to collecting photographs.

Created during the V&A's formative years, when photography was newly integrated into museum collections (starting in 1852), this work reflects the institution's pioneering use of photography for educational and reference purposes, facilitated by visionaries like founding Director Henry Cole.