Herend Unveils Reserve Collection

Fourteen Spectacular Handcrafted Porcelain Compositions Debut

—Collection Includes Eleven Limited Edition Pieces—

 

STERLING, VA, April 9, 2008...Internationally acclaimed porcelain maker Herend will unveil the “Reserve Collection” of fourteen exceptional porcelain compositions at the New York Tabletop Market in New York, April 9-13.  The entire collection will be on display at the 41 Madison Avenue showroom on the 10th floor. 

 

“This collection of incredible porcelain sculptures is intended for the true Herend connoisseur and art aficionado with an eye for extraordinary handcrafted compositions in porcelain,” said marketing director Maureen Ellis.   “These pieces go beyond the Herend figurine and dinnerware offerings, and are intended to dazzle and be the focal point in any room!  Each piece comes with a legend that will enchant the privileged owner.”

 

The Reserve Collection Buddha (8.6-inches high) is both solemn and spiritual in appearance.  A chinoiserie design created in 1996 to symbolize autumn with its rich colors of nature decorates Buddha’s robe.  Modeled after a smaller version created in 1937 by Kata Gacser, this current interpretation takes the skills of eighteen craftspeople to create, and each piece takes over a day to paint.   Buddha means “The Awakened” or “Enlightened One,” and was the title given to Siddhartha Gautama, believed to have lived in 563-483 B.C.  According to legend, Gautama left a life of privilege at age 29 and devoted himself to years of contemplation and self denial, finally reaching enlightenment while meditating beneath a tree.  Herend’s Buddha is a limited edition of 250, and suggested to retail for $1,675. 

 

Embedded deep in European culture, the Minotaur (6-inches wide, 13 ½-inches high) figure is highly symbolic.  Designed by Imre Schrammel, who is noted for his collection of Carnival figures, the tattooed muscular body serves as a virtual Carnival costume. Lore suggests that the Minotaur was a Cretan with the head of a bull who descended from the Moon God of Mesopotamia as the symbol of virility intent on attracting the attention of the Earth Mother, symbol of womankind.  Limited to an edition of 100, the suggested retail price is $3,035.

 

The colorful Pink Elephant (10-inches wide, 9-inches high) is a replica of an antique figurine depicting an elephant carrying goods along the Silk Road, an ancient trading route stretching from China to the Mediterranean Sea.  The Silk Road not only served as a means of moving precious commodities back and forth, but was significant for bringing new cultural influences.  A highly ornate decorative style of glorious colors epitomizes the Eastern influence.  This figurine was reissued from the Herend archives to commemorate the Manufactory’s 180th anniversary.  Limited to an edition of 180, the suggested retail price is $4,765.

 

Designed by sculptor Janos Toth, the Elk figurine (11 ½-inches long, 11 ½-inches high) was originally introduced in 1957 in a natural coloration.  Herend now offers this powerful study in a shaded brown fishnet style.  The pose suggests a behavior known as “bugling,” a distinctive vocalization of sounds designed to attract the female in mating season.  Nineteen artists took over 18 hours to ensure that he looks his very best for his courtship ritual!  The Elk is an open edition, and suggested to retail for $3,160.

 

This intriguing composition entitled Carnival Group with Foo Dog (11 ½-inches wide, 15 ¾-inches high) is part of Imre Schrammel’s Carnival Series.  The piece consists of four figures, a Magician, two Clowns and a Girl with Foo Dog.  The Magician and Clown is found in every culture with the former representing the universe and the clown a symbol of truthfulness which can only be tolerated if told by a fool.  Limited to an edition of 100, the Carnival Group with Foo Dog is suggested to retail for $16,500.

 

Herend’s American Alligator (16-inches long, 3-inches high) is a remarkable version of the fearsome creature of the swamp.  From start to finish, it takes 18 artists three days to create the Alligator.  First appearing 200 million years ago, the alligator faced extinction, but is now thriving thanks to state and federal protection, habitat preservation methods and reduced demand for alligator products.  The American Alligator is limited to 250 editions, and suggested to retail for $3,250.

 

The Sphinx (11 ½-inches long, 6 ½-inches high) is decorated in a breathtakingly intricate design called Tattoo, which takes a Herend artist seven full days to paint.  Because tattooing was practiced by the ancient Egyptians 4000 years ago, the design was a natural choice for Herend’s Sphinx.  Twenty-five pairs of hands are involved in creating this impressive figure.  Each figure is fired at least six times, as compared to three times for Herend figurines.  Egypt’s Great Sphinx was named after a legendary Greek creature with the body of a lion and head of a woman.  Limited to 250 editions, the Sphinx is suggested to retail for $7,450.

 

Herend’s magnificent Horse Bust (11 ½-inches long, 11-inches high) captures the quiet dignity, abundant grace and unbridled spirit of this beloved animal.  The word “equus”—meaning horse—originated in ancient Greece and means “quickness.”

 

Seventeen craftspeople gave form to this figure that projects the strength and power of this fleet-footed creature, and takes three days to paint.  The Horse Bust is limited to 250 editions, and suggested to retail for $2,950. 

 

Originally manufactured by the Alt Wein Porcelain Manufactory, the Tulip Vase (18 ¼-inches high) was replicated by Herend in the early 1900s and then reintroduced in a pink coloration in 2007 and a yellow coloration in 2008.  Both colorways are being shown at this Market.  The shape and decoration is an example of the Secession style of design (what the Art Nouveau movement was called in Vienna), a richly ornamental style that embraced asymmetrical, flowing lines and often incorporated stylized plant motifs.  Limited to an edition of 25 in each colorway, the Tulip Vase is suggested to retail for $15,000.

 

An astonishing example of porcelain hand painting, the Jubilee Vase (9 ¾-inches wide, 25 ½-inches high) was created to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the founding of Herend.  The Vase features 180 different Herend patterns chosen from over 4,000 possibilities.  Artist Akos Temás not only had to consider the esthetic placement of each pattern with its neighbor, but had to also consider the best geometric shape to showcase it.  Twenty-four karat gold highlights each pattern, enhancing its allure.  Limited to only five editions, the Jubilee Vase is suggested to retail for $52,770. 

 

Herend’s classic Rooster (13-inches wide, 16-inches high) boasts a superb new fishnet design that incorporates all seven fishnet colors: blue, black, butterscotch, chocolate, green, raspberry and rust combined in a harmonious medley.  Sandor Keleti first designed this commanding figure in 1924.  The product of 17 craftspeople, each rooster requires 19 hours to paint.  Limited to an edition of 250, the suggested retail price is $4,230. 

 

From the 2008 Frankfurt collection, the dramatically painted Sea Life Vase (15-inches high, 9 ½-inch diameter) and Sea Life Bowl ((7-inches high, 12 ½-inch diameter) offer a peek into an underwater paradise.  Depending on the piece, lionfish, powder blue sturgeon, clownfish, and threadfin butterfly fish play around coral and kelp.  The background in various shades of blue provides the viewer with a sense of depth.  Each is available in an open edition; the Sea Life Vase is suggested to retail for $5,805, and the Bowl is suggested to retail for $5,360.

 

Founded in 1826 and now in its 182nd year of production, Herend maintains a quality of excellence exemplified in each and every piece of the impressive Reserve Collection.

 

Since 1957, Herend has been imported to the U.S. by Martin’s Herend Imports, a family owned and operated business in Virginia.