Tea and Coffee Piazza service
In the 1980s, the Italian manufacturer Alessi commissioned eleven architects to design tea and coffee sets, with the tray serving as the "piazza" and the vessels positioned like "buildings." The Graves design was one of the most popular in the series, with its whimsical mixture of Greco-Roman architectural forms that evoke fluted classical columns; splashes of vivid color; and clean, postmodernist design simplicity. The forms refer to early twentieth century architecturally inspired examples by Wiener Werkstätte designers such as Josef Hoffmann, while also channeling the playful, colorful, and humorous style of the Memphis design group that was so popular during the 1980s.
Artwork Details
- Title: Tea and Coffee Piazza service
- Designer: Michael Graves (American, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1934–2015 Princeton, New Jersey)
- Manufacturer: Alessi S. P. A.
- Date: 1980–83
- Medium: Silver, paint, aluminum, glass and plastic
- Edition: 1st artist proof / 99 + 3 artist proofs
- Dimensions: 2023.609.1a, b (Coffee pot with lid): 9 1/2 × 5 3/4 × 9 3/4 in., 3 lb. (24.1 × 14.6 × 24.8 cm, 1.4 kg)
2023.609.2a, b (Tea pot with lid): 8 1/4 × 10 1/4 × 4 3/4 in., 2.8 lb. (21 × 26 × 12.1 cm, 1.3 kg)
2023.609.3a, b (Sugar bowl): 5 3/8 × 6 3/4 × 3 1/8 in., 1.2 lb. (13.7 × 17.1 × 7.9 cm, 0.5 kg)
2023.609.3 c (Spoon): 1/2 × 3 5/8 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 9.2 × 2.2 cm)
2023.609.4 (Milk pitcher): 4 × 6 × 3 1/8 in., 1.2 lb. (10.2 × 15.2 × 7.9 cm, 0.5 kg)
2023.609.5 (Tray): 3 1/2 × 16 1/8 in., 7.4 lb. (8.9 × 41 cm, 3.4 kg) - Classification: Metalwork-Silver
- Credit Line: Gift of Erving and Joyce Wolf
- Object Number: 2023.609.1–.5
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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Michael Graves
1980
Multiple artists/makers
1981
Michael Graves
V'Soske, Inc.
designed 1980, manufactured 1984
Michael Graves
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