Medusa

Medusa – Ikarus, one of the first dinnerware collections of “Rosenthal meets Versace”, launched in 1993, mirrors the matchless rich, colour intensive world of Versace.

The emblematic Versace pattern featuring the glorious gold coloured central Medusa head has a new contemporary look. The new form lends excitement to this classic pattern. Beautiful detail and vibrant colour of the expressive baroque ornaments make this a true must have. The pulsating brilliance of the deep red, the elegance of the black and the magnificence of the gold: a colour spectrum which dominates the Medusa collection. The collection was Designed by Paul Wunderlich a German internationally known lithographic and object surrealist artist. His works are characterised by magic and mysticism and by the use of precious materials such as porcelain. Wunderlich had been working for Rosenthal since 1978.

According to ancient myths Medusa was one of the three Gorgons which in Greek mythology were sea monsters with gold wings, snakes for hair, and turned anyone who looked directly at them to stone. The three sisters represented perversion in its three individual forms: intellectual, sexual and moral. Medusa’s snake hair locks were a punishment from Athena. The once extremely beautiful mortal was punished by Athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for having been raped in Athena’s temple by Poseidon.

Gianni Versace chose this Greek mythological figure as his luxurious logo because she made people fall in love with her and they had no way back. He hoped his Maison would have the same seductive effect on people. Indeed the sumptuous Medusa head is the protagonist of many Versace collections in different rich colours and refined details making them unique and highly desirable among Versace cult followers.