Illy "Arti e Mestieri" Artist Collection Espresso Cup
Designed by Matteo Thun | Produced by Richard Ginori, Italy 1992 First Edition |1992 First Edition | h. 2", w. 2.5", d. 2.5" (Cup) | Diameter 4.75" (Saucer)

A milestone in the intersection of Italian design and daily ritual, this pair of espresso cups represents the 1992 debut of the legendary Illy Art Collection. Known as the iconic "Thun" silhouette these cups have a circular "doughnut" handle and a high-gloss, pristine white interior designed to perfectly showcase the crema of a fresh espresso. 

While hundreds of designs have followed, these first-edition Ginori pieces remain the most coveted by collectors. Richard Ginori, a legendary Florentine manufacturer since 1735, was chosen for the initial production to ensure the highest standard of "technical precision" and porcelain quality. These cups don't just hold coffee; they represent the start of a "biography" that transformed a simple kitchen object into a globally recognized gallery of contemporary art.