Set of four cups; End of the 20th century.

Set of four cups; End of the twentieth century.
Carved onyx.
Preserves case.
Measurements: 12,5 x 7 cm; 9 x 22 x 32 cm (case).
Set of four onyx cups with the same design. Onyx acquired special relevance in the 20th century as a material for household objects due to a combination of aesthetic and technical factors. Its natural translucency, combined with a variety of veins and shades, from soft greens to creamy tones and browns, made it a highly prized material for home decoration. On a practical level, onyx offers a hard, cool surface that is relatively easy to polish, qualities that made it ideal for trays, centerpieces, fruit bowls and small accessories.
Moreover, in a context of growing interest in the blending of craftsmanship and industrial design, onyx made it possible to create pieces that combined sophistication, durability and strong ornamental value, thus fitting in with the eclectic and decorative tastes of the period.