illy Art Collection 1997 Paolo Rossetti Fossil Espresso Cup + Saucer For Sale

PEZZI MAI USATI, DA COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA. Conservati fin dall\'origine, mai utilizzati e mai lavati.
NEVER USED, FROM A FAMILY COLLECTION. Kept from new, never used and never washed.
Paolo Rossetti\'s \"Fossile\", 1997 - one of the earliest illy Art Collection releases and quite different from anything since.Rather than printed decoration, the design is sculptural: ammonites, shells and fish pressed into the porcelain body in low relief, with the handle modelled as a scallop shell. Finished in plain white so the relief carries the whole piece.CONDITION DISCLOSURE: this is the original presentation box with the cup and saucer only. The two 250g coffee tins that shipped in the die-cut insert are long gone - the empty recesses are visible in the photos. Box and porcelain only.The oldest piece in my collection and increasingly scarce with its original box.CONDITION: Cup and saucer in excellent condition - no chips or cracks, relief detail crisp. Original outer box included, showing shelf wear and edge rubbing. PLEASE NOTE: the two coffee tins that originally filled the box are NOT included - box and porcelain only.