Demitasse and Saucer 1900 - 1902

Peter Behrens made this cup and saucer set, at an unknown date, probably with paint on porcelain. I imagine Behrens experimenting with form and function, thinking about how design impacts everyday life. There’s something really appealing about the geometric forms, both in the overall shape of the cup and saucer, and the painted decorations. Look at the sharp angles of the saucer, echoed in the linear patterns on the cup—it's like a conversation between shapes. I wonder what it was like for Behrens to work with porcelain, a medium so different from canvas. How did the smooth, hard surface influence his design choices? The blue decoration is precise but has a handmade quality, adding warmth to the cool, geometric design. It reminds me of Bauhaus design and the way artists and designers were trying to synthesize art, craft, and technology.