Royal Crown Derby Paperweight Oceanic Whale. Ltd Ed. Gold Stopper

  
Royal Crown Derby Oceanic Whale. Please contact me via my listing if there's anything you'd like to discuss. A rather large piece measuring 21cms long. Absolutely beautiful sky blue back with dark blue and turquoise and prawn pink decoration lavishly adorned with 22-carat gold gilding. This piece represents Moby Dick the Sperm whale ploughing through the ocean powered by its large and versatile flukes. Upon its head on either side, we see not mermaids but the Three Gorgons (Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale), daughters of the Greek Goddess, Ceto. Their lower fish bodies end in fish flukes whilst the torso and head are of a deceptively beautiful woman with snakes for hair.

Ceto was the goddess of all sea monsters and marine life. On its back is a representation of ancient harpoons. Moby Dick was the fictional account of an exceptionally aggressive monster of the seas, hence the addition of the Gorgons decoration.

Created in 2003 exclusively for the Royal Crown Derby Collectors Guild. Modelled and decorated by John Ablitt.