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Object Timeline

1955

  • Work on this object began.

1992

  • We acquired this object.

2012

2014

2024

  • You found it!

Zebra Cup And Saucer

This is a Cup and saucer. It was designed by Eugen Trost and manufactured by Gefle Porselinsfabrik. It is dated 1955 and we acquired it in 1992. Its medium is molded, glazed, and enameled porcelain. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Gefle Porslinsfabrik was a manufacturer of tableware and other ceramics for everyday use. The graphic effect of the black and white radiating lines decorating this cup and saucer creates a visual energy and is typical of the company at its best in the 1950s and 1960s.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Embracing Design’s Wild Side.

This object was donated by Mrs. Dorothy T. Globus. It is credited Gift of Dorothy T. Globus.

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  • Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
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  • Dinette Teapot
  • cast pewter, ebonized wood.
  • Gift of Marilyn Friedman.
  • 2013-57-1
  • Cup And Saucer
  • porcelain, vitreous enamel.
  • Gift of Harry C. Sigman.
  • 2013-21-32-a,b

Our curators have highlighted 10 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Aeroflot 1923-1963 Mug
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Its dimensions are

H x diam. (a,b): 8.3 x 15.9 cm (3 1/4 x 6 1/4 in.) H x W x D (a): 7.9 x 11.3 x 9.5 cm (3 1/8 x 4 7/16 x 3 3/4 in.) H x diam. (b): 2.5 x 17.1 cm (1 in. x 6 3/4 in.)

It has the following markings

On underside of cup (a): "ZEBRA / HANDMALAT / [factory mark] UPSALA-EKEBY / GEFLE / MADE IN SWEDEN / 359 / 32"; On underside of saucer (b): "ZEBRA / HANDMALAT / [factory mark] UPSALA-EKEBY / GEFLE / MADE IN SWEDEN / 459 / 22"

Cite this object as

Zebra Cup And Saucer; Designed by Eugen Trost (Swedish, 1898-1983); Manufactured by Gefle Porselinsfabrik (Sweden); Sweden; molded, glazed, and enameled porcelain; H x diam. (a,b): 8.3 x 15.9 cm (3 1/4 x 6 1/4 in.) H x W x D (a): 7.9 x 11.3 x 9.5 cm (3 1/8 x 4 7/16 x 3 3/4 in.) H x diam. (b): 2.5 x 17.1 cm (1 in. x 6 3/4 in.); Gift of Dorothy T. Globus; 1992-95-1-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18641691/ |title=Zebra Cup And Saucer |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>