“battleship Potemkin” Tea And Coffee Set. Italy Circa 1970-1980

An extraordinary tea and coffee service with a strong sculptural impact and a rigorous constructivist spirit, produced in very few examples by the renowned goldsmith and designer Elio Martella, active in Mestre, near Venice, between the late seventies and early eighties.
The model, emblematically titled Battleship Potemkin, is inspired by the monumental and dynamic aesthetic of the Russian avant-garde, with bold geometric volumes, marked inclinations and a theatrical use of material contrasts.
The service consists of six elements: a large rectangular tray with semicircular handles in silver and Bakelite, with malachite inserts; a teapot, a coffee pot, a milk jug, a sugar bowl and its matching spoon. The silver surfaces, with a satin finish, alternate with black wood elements and green malachite pellets that highlight the whole with refined chromatic details. The lids are finely chiseled with raised geometric motifs and feature oblique cylindrical handles, while the handles and spouts, also made of wood, reinforce the dynamic tension of the design. Each piece adopts an autonomous architectural form while maintaining overall coherence, thus contributing to the expressive force of the group.
A rare and original example of Italian design, this service combines decorative art, functionality and symbolic power.

Dimensions:
H. 21 × W. 47 × D. 24.5 cm