LORELEI

"German LORELEY, large rock on the bank of the Rhine River near Sankt Goarshausen, Ger. The rock produces an echo and is associated with the legend of a beautiful maiden who threw herself into the Rhine in despair over a faithless lover and was transformed into a siren who lured fishermen to destruction. The essentials of the legend were claimed as his invention by German writer Clemens Brentano in his novel Godwi (1800-02). Lorelei has been the subject of a number of literary works and songs; the poem Die Loreley by Heinrich Heine was set to music by more than 25 composers." Copyright © 1994-2000 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Die Lorelei (The Lorelei) A Poem by Heinrich Heine

ORIGINAL:
Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten,
Daß ich so traurig bin;
Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten,
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn.
Die Luft ist kühl, und es dunkelt,
Un ruhig fließt der Rhein;
Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt
In Abendsonnenschein.
Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet
Dort oben wunderbar,
Ihr goldenes Geschmeide blitzet,
Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar.
Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme
Und singt ein Lied dabei;
Das hat eine wundersame,
Gewaltige Melodei.
Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe
Ergreift es mit wildem Weh;
Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe,
Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'.
Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen
Am Ende Schiffer uns Kahn;
Und das hat mit ihrem Singen
Die Lorelei getan.

TRANSLATION:
I don't know what it may signify
That I am so sad;
There's a tale from ancient times
That I can't get out of my mind.
The air is cool and the twilight is falling
and the Rhine is flowing quietly by;
the top of the mountain is glittering
in the evening sun.
The loveliest maiden is sitting
Up there, wondrous to tell.
Her golden jewelry sparkles
as she combs her golden hair
She combs it with a golden comb
and sings a song as she does,
A song with a peculiar,
powerful melody.
It seizes upon the boatman in his small boat
With unrestrained woe;
He does not look below to the rocky shoals,
He only looks up at the heights.
If I'm not mistaken, the waters
Finally swallowed up fisher and boat;
And with her singing
The Lorelei did this.

Lorelei Engraving
by Keller, 1875

Lorelei and Boatman

Cliftwood Art Potteries

In the Cliftwood catalog, next to the Lorilei is printed:

The fairest Virgin sitting
Upon the rock so bare.
Her precioius jewels are sparking;
She combs her golden hair.

She combs with a golden comb
And sings a song thereby;
Which has a wonderful tune.
It is called the Lorilei.

Haeger Nude on Rock

"Lorilei" Flower Insert, 6.5"h. x 4.5 " wide. Alone she sold for $3 and with a $10" bowl for $6.

This lady by Haeger Potteies follows the same design concept. She is 7.25"h. and was sold in the 20s in several solid colors. The drip glaze is unusual.

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