Mallard duck (one of a pair) 1745 - 1755

This porcelain mallard duck was crafted by the Meissen Manufactory. Ducks, beyond their literal representation, waddle through the symbolic landscape of human culture. Consider the ancient Egyptians, who saw in waterfowl a connection to the divine, linking them to both the celestial and the earthly realms. In other cultures, the duck is a symbol of adaptability, able to navigate both water and land. This duality speaks to our own human capacity to traverse different realms of experience, adapting to the currents of life. In the medieval imagination, ducks—like many animals—were often imbued with moral qualities, used in allegories to represent certain human traits or vices. The image of the duck, therefore, taps into a deep well of collective memory, resonating with ancient beliefs, folklore, and symbolic associations that have been passed down through generations. It is a symbol that invites us to reflect on our own connection to nature.