bfm - Goblet (6) - palladium

These cups are a classic example of Mid-Century Modern design, produced in Italy during the 1960s and 1970s. The four-column stem is a distinctive element of some high-quality industrial production sets of the era.

The palladium plating is highly resistant to oxidation (much more so than pure silver). The “palladiated” finish is a prestigious one that maintains the white luster typical of platinum without requiring constant polishing.

Although the design recalls champagne coupes, these were created with a versatile function for the table:
Champagne Glasses (Vintage Style): Perfect for serving sparkling wines or champagne “the old way,” where the wide mouth promotes dispersion of bubbles (ideal for sweet wines or cocktails).
Macedonia or Ice Cream (Dessert): This is the most common use for this type of metalware. The silvered/palladiated metal helps keep the dessert cold longer than glass.
Cocktails (Classic Coupes): Excellent for “up” cocktails (without ice) like the Martini, the Sidecar, or the Daiquiri.

The BFM mark (acronym of Bottega Fiorentina Metalli) confirms the high-quality Italian artisanal-industrial origin. It was a manufacturing company very active in the second half of the 20th century, specialized precisely in tableware in noble metal plating.

BFM was known for a very solid plating. The fact that they are Palladium Plated was a luxury choice: palladium is a platinum-group metal that does not tarnish like traditional silver, maintaining a “cool” and nearly eternal mirror-like shine.

The model with the four-pillar stem is a classic of their Art Déco Revival line. It is a design highly sought after for modern interior decoration because it combines classical elegance with geometric rigor.

Given the palladium plating of BFM, these cups are food-safe (they do not impart metallic flavors like bare brass) and are perfect to impress guests serving a Martini cocktail or a chocolate mousse, since the metal will retain the cold exceptionally well.