Tea service "Axis" by Carol McNicoll for Axis Design

"Axis" tea service by Carol McNicoll for Axis Design, circa 1988–1990
Rare white porcelain tea service from the Axis collection, created in the late 1980s by British ceramicist Carol McNicoll (1943–2025) for publisher Axis Design.

This iconic example of Postmodern design comprises a covered teapot together with four cups and four matching saucers. Its distinctive aesthetic evokes a sheet of crumpled paper: irregular volumes, pleated surfaces, free-form contours and sculptural modelling are the hallmarks of a piece that has become an icon of British design of the 1980s.

A leading figure in the renewal of contemporary English ceramics, Carol McNicoll left a lasting mark on the history of design through her functional objects with a playful, sculptural spirit. Her works are today held in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Musée national de Céramique de Sèvres and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

The Axis teapot, produced in a limited edition by Axis Design, was exhibited at the Centre Pompidou as part of exhibitions devoted to design of the 1980s–1990s. This production remains highly sought after by collectors of contemporary design and studio ceramics.

Condition: very fine overall condition. No cracks or restorations. A few very slight traces of use to the bases, consistent with normal use.

Composition:

1 teapot with lid
4 cups
4 saucers
Period: circa 1988–1990.

An iconic work of British Postmodern design, as decorative as it is functional.