Alessi - Alessandro Mendini - Corkscrew - Anna G. ''Delft - Special Edition'' - AlkiPaper and chrome-plated zamak

Since its debut in 1994, the Anna G. corkscrew has grown into one of Alessi’s most beloved design icons. Designed by Alessandro Mendini and named after designer Anna Gili, this smiling figure began as the mascot for a collaboration between Alessi and Philips. Inspired by the theatrical geometry of Oscar Schlemmer’s stage characters and the almost balletic ritual of uncorking a wine bottle, Anna G. quickly became a global classic known for her playful, anthropomorphic form and vibrant personality.

This Special Edition “Delft” pays tribute to the unmistakable visual language of Alessandro Mendini while honouring the centuries-old artistry of Dutch ceramics. In this edition, Mendini reinterprets the characteristic palette and motifs of traditional Delftware, transforming the familiar corkscrew into a poetic, blue-and-white miniature sculpture. The design is rooted in Mendini’s own creative philosophy, an endless dance between hand, mind, pen, and paper, as described in his 2005 reflections on the act of drawing: “A continuous and infinite mark… fragile threads, transparent meshes… trembling, shimmering paths which envelop me like the filaments of a cocoon… twisting, tangling, dots, circles, visions and spectres.”

These expressive gestures find their way into the Delft decoration: delicate lines, dreamlike symbols and rhythmic patterns inspired by childhood tales, agrarian memories, folklore, and the evocative world of fables. Mendini captures the colours of Delftware not as a literal reproduction, but as a deeply personal vocabulary, an emotional map rendered in cobalt tones. The result is a piece where traditional craftsmanship and postmodern imagination meet, making this “Delft” special edition both familiar and delightfully unexpected.

With her slender neck, radiant smile and ornamental blue-and-white dress, Anna G., Delft remains not only a functional corkscrew but also a striking collectible object, an intimate fusion of storytelling, craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Use:
Place Anna G. on the bottle neck, turning her head clockwise to insert the screw into the cork. Continue turning until the cork rises free, then remove it with a counter-clockwise twist. This intuitive, almost theatrical motion is part of the object’s charm, reinforcing the sense that Anna is “interacting” with the user.

Condition:
This Anna G. “Delft” edition is in new and unused condition, complete with original packaging and documents.

This special-edition corkscrew was produced in a limited run.

Dimensions: Ø 7 cm x 24.5 cm.

Designer – Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019):
Architect, designer, theorist and one of the central figures of Italian postmodernism, Mendini reshaped the landscape of contemporary design. His work introduced new sensibilities that challenged the dominance of strict functionalism, weaving emotion, symbolism, colour and storytelling into industrial objects. Winner of numerous prestigious awards, including the Compasso d’Oro and the European Prize for Architecture, Mendini’s legacy continues to inspire designers worldwide.