Postmodern Sculptural Pop-Art Tea Service by Juraj Mahalik for Art4, Slovakia, 1990s

You have added this product to your wishlist.

You have removed this product from your wishlist.

Unfortunately, this action has failed. Please refresh the page and try again.

You can view your wishlist here.

The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.

About This Piece

Vintage Design

A striking, surreal-inspired postmodern pottery tea or coffee set from the early 1990s, designed by Juraj Mahalik (Poland) and crafted by art4 ceramics in Slovakia. This unconventional high-quality set includes a tea/coffee pot with a triangular lid, a sugar bowl, and four cups with matching saucers. Each piece was meticulously handmade of ceramic, beautifully decorated, partially gilded and glazed. The multifaceted design of these objects reflects elements of Surrealism, Pop Art, Kitsch and Postmodernism, giving the set a unique artistic expression. Due to the highly detailed and labor-intensive craftsmanship, we believe this is an unique one-of-a-kind set, not a mass-produced item. All pieces are in excellent, undamaged condition and appear to be unused. Some items display fine glaze cracks, which should be seen as a natural sign of age rather than a defect. Between 1972 and 1973 Juraj Mihalík studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, Poland before continuing his education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava from 1973 to 1979, where he trained under Professor Rudolf Pribiš, a specialist in relief sculpture. After completing his studies, Mihalík created nearly a dozen monumental sculptures in Prešov, Bratislava, and Ostrava between 1979 and 1983. He was introduced to ceramic techniques by his colleague, the sculptor and ceramicist Marián Polonský. Mihalík's works range from Postmodernism to Surrealism, often incorporating playful elements of kitsch. The design draft of this coffee set contains several references to the designers of the Memphis Milano Design Group, including Ettore Sottsass, Michele De Lucchi, Matteo Thun, Nathalie Du Pasquier, and Martine Bedin.

Click here for full description Close description

Creator	Ettore Sottsass
Design Period	1990 to 1999
Production Period	1990 to 1999
Country of Manufacture	Slovakia
Identifying Marks	This piece has an attribution mark
Style	Pop Art, Vintage, Postmodern
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Wear consistent with age and use
SKU	MWV-2031892
Materials	Ceramic
Color	Gold
Width	23 cm 22.9 cm
Depth	18 cm 17.8 cm
Height	21 cm 20.3 cm
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Austria
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Details

Delivery will be completed by a parcel service such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx.
You will receive a tracking number to monitor the status of your shipment.
Delivery will take place between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine the packaging upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damaged packaging, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note, take pictures, and—if the item inside shows damages—contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations regarding damaged packaging represents your acceptance of the completed order in perfect condition.

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

About the Creator

Ettore Sottsass

Born in Innsbruck, Austria in 1917, architect and designer Ettore Sottsass grew up in Milan. He studied architecture at the Polytechnic of Turin, graduating in 1939. As a member of the Italian army, Sottsass spent most of World War II in a Yugoslavian concentration camp. He opened his first studio in Milan 1947, and participated in post-war reconstruction as well as interior and exhibition design.

In 1958, he began working with Olivetti, for whom he designed multiple landmark objects—including Valentine, the brand’s iconic 1969 red plastic typewriter—and transformed the large, cold electronics and office machinery of the day into playful, accessible pieces.

During the 1960s, Sottsass spent time in both India, where he was deeply affected by the country’s vibrant colors, and the U.S., where he embraced pop art culture. In 1973, he cofounded Global Tools, an experimental design collective, alongside Gaetano Pesce, Alessandro Mendini, and others. During the ’70s, he collaborated with Alessi, Baccarat, and Knoll, designing everyday items like condiment sets and decanters.

In 1980, he formed the architecture/design firm Sottsass Associati. In 1981, he founded the Memphis Group, an influential, flamboyant design firm known for its brightly colored post-modern furniture, ceramics, and lighting. He remained with the Group until 1985, at which point he turned his attentions again to architecture. He died at the age of 90.