This is a Swedish-made trio set of Monami coffee cup, saucer and cake plate, a masterpiece by Marianne Westman, who was a key designer at Rörstrand.
Mon Amie means "lover" in French. Mon Amie comes in two models: the bowl-shaped A model and the vertical BV model. This is the coffee cup size of the rare BV model. The back stamp has the quality assurance mark VDN engraved on it, indicating that it was manufactured in Sweden between 1951 and 1973.
Reproductions of Monami are still being produced today, but they are made in Indonesia; this is the original vintage item that was made in Sweden and is now out of production.
The biggest difference between the Monami reproduction and the original is the color of the base. The reproduction has a pure white base, while the original has a subdued off-white color tone. Also, the blue of the reproduction is uniform and vivid, while the original is hand-colored, so each piece has different shades, giving the color depth. The reproduction can be too white and too blue, but the vintage pieces are expressive and you can feel the breath of the artisan.
The backstamp is also distinctive; the reproduction version reads "MON AMIE Marianne Westman Rörstrand," but the original was made in Sweden, so the stamp always reads "SWEDEN." The pieces are Scandinavian-made pieces from about half a century ago, but the older they are, the more artistic and superior the pieces are.
■Details Manufacturer: Rorstrand Series: Mon Amie Designer: Marianne Westman Year: 1952-1973 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★☆ (4.5: Very good condition)
There are slight scratches on the surface of the plate and where the saucer touches the cup, but they are not visible in the photo. There are no signs of use as tableware, and the scratches are only minor, as seen in the storage condition. There are no cracks or chips, and the item is in excellent condition with a glossy finish. We have multiple copies of this item in stock. We will send you an item in the same condition as shown in the photo.
■ Size: Cup diameter 7.3cm, height 6.5cm, saucer diameter 13.5cm, plate diameter 17cm
Marianne Westman
Marianne Westman ( Marianne Westman, 1928-2017 )
Born in the Dalarna region of central Sweden, known for Dalarna horses. In 1950, at the age of 22, he joined Rorstrand as a designer and remained there for 21 years until 1971. As the company's signboard designer, he has created numerous works and brought the masterpiece Mon Amie series to the world. Monami is a masterpiece of Scandinavian design from the mid-20th century, known as "mid-century," and is still loved around the world, with reprints still being produced . Westman's works are characterized by many designs that are conscious of plants and free-spirited patterns that appear to be drawn freehand.