Rare Set of Six Silver-Plated Bud Vases by Gio Ponti for Krupp Milano, 1930s

A remarkably rare and museum-worthy set of six silver-plated bud vases designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Krupp Milano in the 1930s, featuring extraordinary provenance. Five of the six pieces are stamped Hotel Royal Riccione, while one bears only the Krupp Milano mark. This subtle variation makes the ensemble even more intriguing: it is highly plausible that, over the decades, the hotel supplemented the original service with an additional piece from a later order—an evocative detail that enriches the story and rarity of the set.

Originally conceived as multifunctional dining accessories, these vases adorned the elegant breakfast tables of one of Italy’s most iconic seaside hotels. They were used both as refined bud vases and as holders for soft-boiled eggs, demonstrating the clever versatility and elevated sense of hospitality typical of Italian grand hotels of the era.

Their tapered silhouette, flared rim and weighted foot embody Ponti’s early modernist sensibility—pure lines, harmonious proportions, and functional beauty. Time has gifted the silver-plate with a sublime, untouched patina, ranging from soft oxidation to deeper warm tones, enhancing their sculptural character.

Together, they form a truly exceptional ensemble: rare in design, extraordinary in provenance, and irresistibly poetic in the story they silently carry.

Dimensions
Height: 17 cm
Base diameter: 6.5 cm
Top opening diameter (inner): 4 cm
Top opening diameter (outer): 4.5 cm