Sugar bowl, postmodernism, silver-plated brass, HEFRA, Poland, 1970s

The HEFRA sugar bowl from the 1970s is an example of postmodern design made in Poland. Crafted from silver-plated brass, it features a cool, silvery colour with a matte finish. The body is adorned with openwork decoration with tulip motifs and stylised leaves, and the symmetrical handles are bent into spiral curls. The lid is gently convex, topped with a drop-shaped handle, and the whole rests on a wide, round base. Hand-finished details are visible in the floral elements. The piece is in very good condition, with original elements and only minor signs of use and patina typical for its age. The form of this sugar bowl tells the story of Polish postmodernism of the 1970s, when metalwork combined craftsmanship with decorative qualities. Its silvery surface, subtly darkened by patina, evokes the atmosphere of home gatherings where applied art was as important as function. The spiral handles and floral openwork motifs recall the ornamentation and boldness of form characteristic of the era, which boldly reinterpreted tradition. The sugar bowl can be used in both classic and eclectic dining rooms or living rooms. It pairs well with porcelain tableware with simple lines, but also with colourful glass or modern accents from the 1970s. It is worth placing it on a wooden table or marble countertop, where the silvery shade of the metal and the openwork texture will be well visible. It also works as a decorative accent on a console or in a collector's display case, surrounded by other sculptural objects.