Langebraun–Veenre. Dragons and Seahorses

In the globally popular ancient Chinese astrological calendar, 2024 was the Year of the Dragon. The powerful mythical creature, one of twelve animals in the Chinese calendar, is a symbol of strength, courage, vitality, the desire for freedom, and countless other qualities.

The dragon has long fascinated artists, and Eastern dragons became especially popular in the West during the eclectic Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s. In this decorative mode, diverse cultural and historical stylisations were interwoven. Alongside powerful, twisting dragons, the graceful seahorse – a tiny inhabitant of warm coastal waters whose curious appearance and lifestyle have inspired many legends – also found its place in the vibrant motifs of Art Deco. Dragons and mini-dragons have a striking similarity to seahorses, with both creatures embodying a timeless, mysterious beauty.

In the exhibition Langebraun–Veenre: Dragons and Seahorses, the pieces decorated with the dragon motif created by Astrid Tiits at Nikolai Langebraun’s porcelain factory in the 1930s

are displayed alongside Tanel Veenre’s Sun King series of porcelain featuring seahorse decor and jewellery inspired by seahorses, created from 2002 to 2022.