Herend Unveils Fourteen Porcelain Figurines To Usher In 2008

—Superior Artistry Characterizes Newest Introductions—

STERLING, VA, January 8, 2008…Herend heralds the New Year with the introduction of fourteen unique figurines in all shapes and sizes at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, January 8-16. These new introductions will be on display in the Herend showroom in Suite 907 of the Atlanta Gift Mart.

“January’s introductions portend another exciting year for collectors of Herend,” said Maureen Ellis, director of marketing for Herend in the U.S. “Leading off this year’s introductions is the majestic ‘Kingdom Classic Bald Eagle,’ a regal figure which of course is the national symbol of the U.S. This figurine and others will captivate Herend collectors and connoisseurs with their superior artistry and attention to detail.”

Herend has dramatically captured the strength and splendid nature of the bald eagle in the 2008 Kingdom Classic Bald Eagle (6 ¼-inches tall, 10 ½-inches wide). With outstretched wings, he appears to have just landed with his talons gripping a pedestal that is painted to resemble a bleak terrain. This grand bird was chosen to be the national symbol of the United States in 1782. Herend’s Bald Eagle is available in a natural coloration as well as seven fishnet patterned colors; his beak and the tips of his talons are hand painted with 24-karat gold. He is suggested to retail for $1,625.

The Kingdom Classic figurine is unique in that it is generated from an idea that begins in the U.S., after which it is sent to Herend in Hungary for interpretation by the famous Manufactory’s talented sculptors and artists. As each Kingdom Classic is retired at the end of the year it is introduced, the Bald Eagle will be produced through December 31, 2008 and then retired.

Greeting the New Year is Herend’s Chinese Zodiac Mouse (3-inches tall), an existing charmer chosen to masquerade as his rodent cousin for the 2008 Chinese New Year,

the “Year of the Rat.” The Mouse wears a colorful new coat in a brilliant orange and white chrysanthemum Chinois pattern. The rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac cycle which consists of twelve animals; those born in this sign are characterized as leaders and pioneers. Suggested retail price is $595.

Named for the Indonesian island of the same name, the Komodo Dragon (6 ½-inches long) is impressive! Based on the largest living species of lizards, the Komodo Dragon can grow to an awesome length of ten feet. Herend’s remarkable lifelike interpretation is available in seven shaded fishnet colors with 24-karat gold accents. Suggested retail price is $380.

A new member in the Meadow Collection is the Caterpillar (3-inches long). He inches along a leaf base, and in this case, does not blend in with his background since he is depicted in seven beautifully shaded fishnet patterned colors; 24-karat gold accents provide a finishing flourish to this distinctive figure. Suggested retail price is $190.

Herend’s artists have artfully interpreted the famous stork and baby tale in the Stork & Baby figure (4 ¼-inches tall). One wing is unfurled to reveal a rainbow of color; he grasps a blanketed little bundle of joy in his beak as he rests on a pedestal. The origins of the stork and baby story may have come from the Victorians who wished to avoid any mention of the correct answer to this infamous question. Since storks nested frequently on their chimneys, they chose the stork to be the one to deliver babies. Herend’s figure is available in seven shaded fishnet colors and his long beak is painted in 24-karat gold. Suggested retail price is $375.

The dramatic Multicolor Three Tree Frogs on Palm (6 ¼-inches tall, 4-inches wide) is an impressive porcelain sculpture with a gracefully arching palm leaf supporting three tree frogs. Two frogs cling to the top and one is at the base; each is meticulously hand painted in a different fishnet color. Previously introduced in seven single-color fishnet versions, this newest multicolor addition to the Meadow Collection expands the collection. Suggested retail price is $995.

A collection of four shells is added to the Aquatic Collection: the Shark Eye Shell (1 ¾-inches tall, 1 ¼-inches wide), Trochus Shell (2-inches tall, 2 ¼-inches wide), Helmet Shell (2-inches tall, 3-inches wide) and Nautilus Shell (3 ½-inches tall, 4 ¾-inches wide). These porcelain beauties are outstanding versions of those found on beach walks. Each exquisitely detailed shell is painted with pearlized paint to dramatize the inside, and is available in seven stylized fishnet patterned colors. Suggested retail prices: Shark Eye Shell $170, Trochus Shell $250, Helmut Shell $330 and Nautilus Shell $495.

Three paperweights comprise the new Herend Paperweight Collection, an Apple Paperweight (2 ½-inches tall), Heart Paperweight (2 ½-inches wide) and Four-Leaf-Clover Paperweight (2 ¾-inches wide). The Apple Paperweight is an interesting combination of the fishnet design juxtaposed with shaded color areas; the stem is painted in 24-karat gold. A symbol of love, the Heart Paperweight is painted all over in the fishnet pattern. The Four-Leaf-Clover Paperweight stands out in relief against a slightly tinted round base. Suggested retail prices: Apple Paperweight $240, Heart Paperweight $270 and Four-Leaf-Clover Paperweight $135.

Perhaps Herend’s Skull (2-inches tall) was inspired by a recent interest in Gothic inspired home furnishings images, although the image has been around for a very long time. It is strikingly interpreted in seven shaded fishnet colors; the eye sockets, nose, mouth and the book’s binding are accented with 24-karat gold. Suggested retail price is $200.

The seven fishnet colors are blue, black, butterscotch, chocolate, green, raspberry and rust. Inspiration for these lifelike porcelain creations comes from the artist’s mind, real life and oftentimes books.

Herend’s internationally recognized fishnet pattern dates back to 1860 whereas the pattern itself is much older and was first used on Chinese porcelain figurines to represent bird feathers and fish scales. The design is individually hand painted by a Herend artist who is specially trained in this skill and who must possess considerable discipline and a steady hand to hand paint this free form style design so that it fits the contours of the individual figurines. Notice the variation in size of the fishnet pattern on the Nautilus Shell which emphasizes its logarithmic spirals. As the finishing touch, the artist places his or her personal identification number on the bottom of every piece to authenticate that it is an original piece of Herend porcelain art, and one destined for collections of those who appreciate that no two are ever identical.

The Apple Paperweight, Chinese Zodiac Mouse, Heart Paperweight, Helmet Shell, Multicolor Three Tree Frogs on Palm, Shark Shell and Trochus Shell will all be available in retail stores where Herend is carried in the first quarter of the year. The others --Caterpillar, Four-Leaf-Clover Paperweight, Kingdom Classic Bald Eagle, Komodo Dragon, Nautilus Shell, Skull and Stork & Baby figurines -- will be available in the second quarter.

Almost 300 creatures and figures are organized into fourteen distinct categories in order to assist collectors in choosing their favorites. These include Aquatic, Aviary, Baby Animals, Bunny, Domestic, Farmyard, Folk & Fairytale, Forest, Jungle, Kingdom Classic, Meadow, Miniature, Safari and Waterfowl.

Founded in 1826, Herend maintains its international reputation for the highest standards of excellence in hand painted porcelain. The manufactory employs 530 painters to hand paint each exquisite porcelain piece.

Martin’s Herend Imports, a family-owned and operated importing business located in Virginia, was founded in 1957, and has been the exclusive importer of Herend to the U.S. for fifty-one years.

For more information on these newest Herend figurines, call toll free at 1-800-643-7363 or visit the website at www.herendusa.com.