Ceramic Coffee Service

A beautifully balanced and elegant coffee service, designed in the 1960s by the celebrated German designer Richard Riemerschmid (1868–1957). This collectible set includes a tall, slender coffee pot, two matching cups, and a milk jug—each piece showcasing refined lines, harmonious proportions, and functional simplicity. Crafted in Germany and signed on the bottom, the service reflects Riemerschmid’s enduring legacy and a rare intersection of design history with postwar ceramic production. The presence of authentic “Zaren Kaffee” branding adds vintage charm and cultural context, making this an exceptional example of mid-century German decorative ceramics.

Richard Riemerschmid was a pioneering force in the German Jugendstil movement (German Art Nouveau), and a visionary who shaped modern design thinking in the early 20th century. As a co-founder of the Vereinigte Werkstätten für Kunst im Handwerk (1897) and the Deutscher Werkbund (1907), he was deeply committed to merging traditional craftsmanship with the possibilities of industrial production. His work is characterized by clarity, restrained ornamentation, and a focus on function-driven beauty—all visible in this thoughtfully composed service. Though Riemerschmid passed away in 1957, his influence continued well into the following decades, with later production runs based on his original models and design ethos.

“Zaren Kaffee” was a distinguished German coffee brand that collaborated with leading ceramic workshops to produce stylish serving ware for cafes and households. During the 1960s, branded coffee services were both practical and promotional, and often reflected regional tastes and high design standards. This particular set represents a rare fusion of marketing and modernist design, anchored in the traditions of postwar German ceramic excellence.

Product details:

• Overall dimensions:

  • Pot: 11" x 3 1/2"

  • Cups & Milk Jug: 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" each

• Technique: Ceramic (pot, cups, and milk jug)

• Origin: Germany (Zaren Kaffee series)

• Date: 1960s

• Signature: Marked “Zaren Kaffee” on the bottom