Single Figurine Ray small

Manta rays are among the most fascinating and mysterious inhabitants of the ocean: familiar yet enigmatic, gentle yet awe-inspiring, ancient in appearance yet filled with extraordinary dynamism. They glide effortlessly through the water, seemingly untouched by the activity around them. It is precisely this moment that the young sculptor Maximilian Hagstotz has captured in porcelain.

The transformation of movement into stillness lies at the heart of this sculpture. The manta ray, as the central element, hovers above everything as a large and tranquil form. Beneath it, the richness of marine life unfolds in pure white porcelain, revealing itself only upon closer inspection. A turtle, jellyfish and a school of fish winding around the base guide the viewer's eye towards the ray.

Its naturalistic modelling captures the wave-like upward motion of the fins, translating the hydrodynamic forces of water into elegant curves. The result is a compelling interplay between the animated base and the smooth, flowing lines of the ray, whose back alone is highlighted with colour.

For the first time, an underglaze colour has been used to decorate a sculpture in this way. In combination with the glaze, it gives the surface an almost wet appearance and creates an organic texture reminiscent of a manta ray's skin. As the porcelain colour is immediately absorbed into the unfired body, each ray develops a unique coloration.

With this exceptional work, Hagstotz has succeeded in capturing a fleeting moment of dynamic movement, imbued with both powerful energy and a sense of quiet, longing melancholy.