Private collector

(returned to) Rome, Lazio

The “Water Sprite” Indian Water Fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides) is a water plant with dense foliage. It provides shelter and its fronds can be eaten by fish. It is not as delicate a plant as it looks.

A water sprite is also a spirit that lives in the water: a water nymph, half fish, half human or a water Fairy (faery) elemental spirit associated with water, that can breathe water or air and fly.

John Vassar House (JVH) has always been fascinated with Winged elements and birds and the upper part of the Ceratopteris plant suggests the same image also underwater. The base of the water sprite is however anchored to the waterbed.