Mocha-service

Designed by Ladislav Sutnar for Krásná Jizba, Družstevní Práce, 1932

Produced by Epiag, Loket

Glazed porcelain with a painted green line.

UMP 24471

Sutnar’s spherical porcelain service is largely considered the epitome of Sutnar’s functionalist approach to designing everyday practical objects. The launch of the mocha-service emphasised that it was the first porcelain service produced from the designs of a Czechoslovak artist. Customers, primarily members of Družstevní Práce, could first pre-order the service through the Krásná Jizba shop in 1932. This offer was preceded by a long period of preparatory work lasting more than three years.

The complete 42-piece service comprised a dinnerware set, tea- and coffee-services, and a mocha-service for six. Besides the basic version made of pure white undecorated porcelain, customers could also order the popular white with red rim option or an ivory-coloured service with a green rim. For the second edition in 1934, Sutnar added five new bowl shapes, a sauce boat, a butter-dish, and a jam pot to the dinnerware set. He also introduced the most expensive model, an ivory set with a platinum rim. Tea-services painted overall in yellow, orange, terracotta, and blue represented a major innovation to the series. In addition to the new platinum rims and blue services, all services could still be found in the Krásná Jizba sales catalogue of 1941.

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Pre-order form for Sutnar’s service, 1932.