Ceramano “Marcus,” 18cm

It may seem strange to find a Roman ruler used as inspiration for a German made vase, but it makes sense from a historical perspective. Marcus Aurelius, who become emperor in 161AD, found himself riding to Gaul (then France) only five years later to do battle with the invading Germanic tribes. The fact that Aurelius, who preferred intellectual pursuits to waging war, found his reign dominated by the decade-long campaign is the height of irony. He must have realized this himself: It was during this campaign that he started documenting his thoughts and struggles as a means of lending himself guidance — the collected writings of which we now call his “Meditations.” Historians have lauded Aurelius as one of the “Five Great Emperors” of Rome, and there is no doubt Ceramano agreed: “Marcus” was used to decorate a wide variety of their forms at the time of production. Considering the line is regarded as even more valuable today, one could say “Marcus” has lived up to its namesake well.