"axis" Tea Set By Carol Mcnicoll For Axis Design, Circa 1988–1990

Rare white porcelain tea set from the Axis series, created in the late 1980s by British ceramicist Carol McNicoll (1943–2025) for the manufacturer Axis Design.

This iconic set of postmodern design consists of a lidded teapot accompanied by four cups and their four matching saucers. Its unique aesthetic evokes a crumpled sheet of paper: irregular volumes, pleated surfaces, free-flowing contours, and sculptural forms characterize this creation, which has become an icon of 1980s British design.

A leading figure in the revival of contemporary English ceramics, Carol McNicoll has left a profound mark on the history of design with her functional objects that are both playful and sculptural in spirit. Her creations are now part of the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Ceramics Museum in Sèvres, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

The Axis teapot, produced in a limited edition by Axis Design, was exhibited at the Centre Pompidou as part of exhibitions dedicated to design from the 1980s and 1990s. This piece remains highly sought after today by enthusiasts of contemporary design and artist-made ceramics.

Condition: in very good overall condition. No cracks or restoration. A few very slight signs of wear on the bases, consistent with normal use.

Composition:

• 1 teapot with lid
• 4 cups
• 4 saucers

Period: circa 1988–1990.

An iconic piece of postmodern British design, as decorative as it is functional.