Exclusive Collection Centre piece Glaukos

Rising as if lifted from the foam of the waves, Glaucus and Nereid emerge from the surging sea. These two figures of antiquity - half human, half fish - had long secured their place in European art. Yet, as bearers of shell-shaped confectionery dishes, they first appeared in porcelain in 1738, when Johann Friedrich Eberlein, working from an idea by Johann Joachim Kaendler, created the figure group for MEISSEN's legendary Swan Service.

The Nereid, a sea nymph and personification of the tides, is surrounded by playful triton children who embody the vitality of the ocean. Glaucus, by contrast, appears as a heroic and powerful sea god, rising from the water with commanding presence. Together, they symbolize the union of natural force and artistic order.

In this modern edition, the figure group is presented with platinum painting, applied with subtlety: only selected areas are emphasized or polished to create striking highlights that accentuate the dynamic movement of the composition. This refined play of detail makes the centerpiece a pinnacle of contemporary reinterpretation of MEISSEN's classical masterpieces.

The "Glaucus" centerpiece stands not only as a testament to the consummate artistry of the MEISSEN manufactory, but also as a continuation of the deeper symbolism of the Swan Service. In the 18th century, the service was intended not merely to celebrate the splendor of the Saxon court, but also to embody a vision of an ordered world in which even wild nature - like the sea - was tamed through art. Thus, Nereid and Glaucus are far more than decoration: they are central figures in a landmark work of porcelain history, uniting tradition, mythology, and the highest craftsmanship.