Tea service (Vasegaard)

The tea service designed by Gertrud Vasegaard in 1956 was inspired by Chinese ceramics, most evident in its cups without handles.

She also produced a tea caddy, uncommon in Denmark but part of the Chinese tradition, and a milk jug, based on English requirements.

Although each is individually designed (a round cup, a hexagonal teapot, a square caddy and an octagonal cake dish), they are all obviously parts of the same set.

Vasegaard thought they gave the porcelain a more distinctive look and persuaded Bing & Grøndahl to leave them in.

The combination of simple forms with rather heavier materials and slightly textured surfaces was a compromise between production requirements and a more natural finish.