Johann Maresch, Large terracotta polychromed vase from 1900.

While the water plants form a crown around his dripping hair, Neptune sees from the neck of the vase that all is well. His lips purse a light breeze, and the nymph and satyr frolic happily among the rippling waves. It is an allegorical performance with water, as a source of life, in the leading role. Humor and a fairy-tale world populated by fairy-tale characters can be found in much of Johann Maresch's work. Around 1900 this was a refreshing approach that added to the prevailing salon topics.