This is a vintage Mon Amie coffee cup from Rörstrand, a masterpiece by Marianne Westman. Mon Amie comes in teacups and coffee cups, and this is a small coffee cup size. Reproductions of Mon Amie are still being produced today, but they are made in Indonesia. This is an original vintage Mon Amie item made in Sweden.
The biggest difference between the Monami reproduction and the original is the base color. The reproduction has a pure white base, while the original has a subdued off-white color tone. Also, the blue is uniform and vivid on the reproduction, while the original is hand-painted and varies in shade from piece to piece, giving it an ultramarine-like depth. The reproduction is a mass-produced product that is too white and too blue, while the vintage piece is expressive and you can feel the breath of the artisan.
The backstamp is also distinctive; while the reproduction version reads "MON AMIE Marianne Westman Rörstrand," the original was made in Sweden and therefore always has "SWEDEN" engraved on the stamp. The pieces are Scandinavian-made and dated from about half a century ago, but the older they are, the more artistic and superior they are as pieces.
This piece has the old quality assurance mark VDN engraved on the back stamp, indicating that it was produced between 1951 and 1973. This is the original stamp for the earliest Monami models.
■Details Manufacturer: Rorstrand Designer: Marianne Westman Year: 1951-1973 Country of Origin: Sweden Condition: ★★★★★ (5: Complete)
This is a deadstock item that has never been used and is in good condition with no cracks, chips or crazing.
■Size
Diameter 8.5cm, height 5cm, saucer diameter 13.5cm
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.
