Kontessa five-piece coffee set. Vev Viganò. Italy, ca. 1980.

Kontessa five-piece coffee set. Vev Viganò. Italy, ca. 1980.
Polished stainless steel and brass.
Consists of a moka pot, coffee pitcher, milk jug, sugar bowl, and tray.
Marked on the base.

The Kontessa model stands out for the formal coherence with which it translates a refined, cylindrical geometry to the set’s various pieces. The polished stainless steel bodies, hemispherical lids, and spherical finials are repeated on different scales, creating a unified ensemble with a striking graphic presence. The line is documented as an Italian production by Vev Viganò from the late 1970s and the 1980s.

The hallmarks of the contrast between the mirror-like sheen of the steel and the warm tone of the brass are evident in the handles, knobs, and structural details, visually lightening the volumes and accentuating their sophisticated character. The rectangular tray completes the composition and allows the pieces to be presented as a coordinated set, representative of Italian design’s interest during that period in transforming everyday objects into elements of strong decorative value.