Orivit - Coffee and tea service (5) - Metal

Orivit Silvered Metal Tea and Coffee Service — Germany, early 20th century. Important German tea and coffee service by Orivit AG, executed in silvered metal, comprising a coffee pot, teapot, creamer with lid, sugar jar with lid, and service tray. The pieces feature bodies with polygonal cross-sections, tall, faceted walls, resting on slightly open and molded bases. The lids, also faceted, have a recessed pyramidal profile and are topped with flat geometric-shaped pulls. Decoration is concentrated on the upper part of the vessels, through successive applied square panels, composed of concentric frames and geometric reliefs, with a protruding central button. The same motif repeats at the junctions of the handles, creating a rigorous, coherent architectural composition throughout the set. The coffee pot and teapot have long, tall spouts with curved lines and notched ends. The handles, tall and angular, follow the vertical construction of the bodies and reinforce the modernist character of the design. The sugar jar has two small side handles and a faceted lid, while the creamer reproduces, at a reduced scale, the formal structure of the other pieces. The tray is rectangular with chamfered corners, a raised rim, and a geometric-embossed frieze. It features two large side handles visually integrated with the service’s ornamental language. The visible marks correspond to the Orivit AG punch, formed by an arched cartouche with monogram and the inscription “ORIVIT,” accompanied by model numbers, including 8118. Orivit was one of the leading German metalwork manufactories of the Jugendstil period; in 1905 it came under WMF control, which continued to use the brand in subsequent years. Although the piece may be marketed as Art Déco, the more rigorous stylistic classification is: geometrizing Jugendstil or Secessionist, transitioning to Art Déco. Its production dates should be placed in the early 20th century, probably around 1905–1914. Orivit produced tea and coffee services, trays, and other household items in various metals, including white metal and silver-plated pieces. The set shows signs of use and aging.

Brand: Orivit AG
Origin: Germany, Cologne
Era: early 20th century, probably c. 1905–1914
Style: geometric Jugendstil / Secessionist, precursor to Art Deco
Material: silver-plated metal or shell-gilded
Composition: coffee pot, teapot, creamer with lid, sugar jar with lid, and tray
Marks: Orivit punch and model number, including 8118
Height of coffee pot: approximately 24 cm
Length of tray: approximately 49 cm

Rare Orivit silvered metal tea and coffee service, with geometric Jugendstil design, consisting of five pieces — Germany, c. 1905–1914