Retro Italian Italo Casini multicoloured Harlequin Tea Set 1950's

An extremely rare glazed ceramic tea set, of biomorphic asymmetric form. Set comprises: 1 X tea pot and lid, 4 X tea cups and 4 X saucers. Decorated in air-brushed shades of grey, yellow, pink, green, brown, russet and black, with gilt rims and detail. Considered kitsch by some, yet most recognize the quintessential, mid-century modernist angular forms as epitomizing the post-war designer's fascination with microscopic diatoms and other natural organic forms. Not a complete set as two cups and saucers are missing. The grey cup has a chip and will need restoration as the fragile slip moulded material used to manufacture this set is prone to chipping, crazing and flaking.