Sugar bowl from a tea service by Theodore Hooft

Sugar bowl from a tea service c. 1930

metal, ceramic

art-deco

metal

ceramic

This sugar bowl, part of a tea service designed by Theodore Hooft around 1930, is a fine example of Art Deco style. Hooft, born in 1918, was a Dutch designer known for his sleek, geometric forms and attention to detail. The piece's smooth, rounded surfaces and polished stainless steel construction reflect the modern aesthetics of the time, making it a timeless addition to any collection. The contrasting black handles provide a touch of elegance and stand out against the shimmering metal. This sugar bowl, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to Hooft's talent for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing objects.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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The stark planar elements introduced by Gerrit Rietveld and members of the de Stijl movement (1919-1928) found their way into the work of several metalworkers. Inspired by a rational, intellectural approach to design, Hooft preferred simplified form, proportion and clarity. The unadorned, dull patina and squared-off handles of this tea set were produced at minimal cost: stylistic purity on a shoestring budget aimed at a deflated market. Few sets were produced, finding little favor with a public still preferring Empire and rococo-inspired designs.