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 series, created in the late 1980s by British ceramicist Carol McNicoll (1943-2025) for the publisher Axis Design. This iconic set of postmodern design consists of a covered teapot accompanied by four cups and their four matching saucers. Its unique aesthetic evokes a crumpled piece of paper: irregular volumes, pleated surfaces, free contours, and sculptural shapes characterise this creation, which has become emblematic of British design in the 1980s. A major figure in the revival of contemporary English ceramics, Carol McNicoll has profoundly influenced the history of design with her functional objects that possess a playful and sculptural spirit. Her creations are now part of the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Museum of Ceramics in Sèvres, and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The Axis teapot, produced in a limited edition by Axis Design, was showcased at the Centre Pompidou as part of exhibitions dedicated to design from the 1980s-1990s. This production remains sought after by enthusiasts of contemporary design and author ceramics. Condition: very good overall condition. No cracks or restorations. Some very light signs of use under the bases, consistent with normal use. Composition: 1 teapot with its lid. 4 cups. 4 saucers. Period: circa 1988-1990. An emblematic work of postmodern British design, as decorative as it is functional.