Hutschenreuther - Coffee service (12) - Porcelain - onion pattern

Rare coffee service for 6 people produced by Hutschenreuther, Zwiebelmuster decoration.

The set is in perfect condition and very elegant. It consists of 6 coffee cups with saucers.

The rich traditional history of the “Zwiebelmuster” service takes us back to China, homeland of porcelain. Already in the Ming Dynasty era (1368 – 1644) it is recorded that floral motifs were painted on fine white porcelain. Also the symmetrical arrangement of the different motifs, which derives from Japanese painting from Arita according to Kakimon, can be found for example in the bamboo bouquet of white and blue porcelain. Some European artists of the 18th century, fascinated by these trend motifs, symbols of China, adopted them to create new forms that still retain their charm today. Thus in 1739 the famous service “Zwiebelmuster” was born. This name originated in popular language that did not recognize the blue-painted symbols. In reality there is no onion (Zwiebel in German) in these drawings; rather there are pomegranates, peaches, peonies, and a bouquet of bamboo. Each fruit, as well as each plant, has a symbolic meaning in Middle‑Eastern philosophy: - bamboo represents the higher social classes, - the pomegranate is the symbol of fertility, - the peony represents wealth, - the walnut with its rough surface represents immortality. The white collection from the Meissen porcelain factory C. Teichert, which refers to a design from the year 1728, was taken up by Lorenz Hutschenreuther in 1926 and launched on the market under the name Maria Theresia. From the C. Teichert factory also comes “Blau Zwiebelmuster,” produced by Hutschenreuther starting in 193. Pure cobalt is still used for the color today, and much of the work is done by hand, particularly for the paintings on the knobs of the lids, on the rims of the saucers, and on the rims of the cups. The exquisite detailing is the hallmark of the Hutschenreuther “Blau Zwiebelmuster” collection. The shapes reflect the needs of modern interior design, and each piece is of course dishwasher safe and suitable for microwave use. This tradition continues to this day, and the baroque collection “Blau Zwiebelmuster” remains the most widespread and beloved among Hutschenreuther’s lines, especially among those who love to make every dining experience unique.

The set is still in production and is sold for €36.00 per cup and €23.00 per saucer. Available on the official Hutschenreuther website: https://www.hutschenreuther.com/it-it/collezioni/collezioni-da-pranzo/blau-zwiebelmuster/?srsltid=AfmBOoptpm3Yz1D5gqSiDdQwQIMWlvcaxb8pzwmNFNwPlo_qgFMJfTpO