Mare Nostrum by Nymphenburg

I love these plates and this tureen!!! I love them because of the unique subject matter for such fine china - lobsters. I love the vibrant red and orange hues and highly detailed design of the focal point contrasted with the simplicity of the plain white background. I love the silhouette of the plate itself with it's lightly scalloped edge. I love that the tureen isn't overly decorated and highlighted with color allowing the delicate craftsmanship to show as well as letting the playful lobster handle take center stage. I was so thrilled when I discovered this design months ago. I could tell by the Nympehnburg website that they were going to be expensive - whenever the price of something isn't listed online, you know it's gonna be expensive. I figured since Royal Copenhagen plates run around $150 each, these must be about the same cost. So the last few months I've lived my life thinking that one day I'll be able to own these plates.

Well, I recently found out that these plates are ten times the amount that I originally thought. I found a website that lists one Mare Nostrum Nymphenburg plate at $1,200!!! ONE PLATE! Who are these people that can afford china that expensive? Forget about the Tureen - it's $6,700! Maybe one day I'll be able to afford a plate so I can frame it and hang it on my wall as artwork. They really are exquisite; even the name is beautiful, Mare Nostrum, Latin for "Our Sea." Alas, these plates will not be in MY Sea. Why is almost everything I love so expensive...