Ettore Sottsass

“Fruttiera” bowl by Ettore Sottsass, numbered edition by Tendentse / Alessi, 1990.

Golden editor’s stamp and hand numbering underneath. Opaque white ceramic, glossy black glaze and satin red. The bowl and base are fired separately, then cold-assembled.

History of Ettore Sottsass’s Fruttiera bowl through its different production series:

1. The Genesis: La Collezione Tendentse (1985–1989)

The Tendentse brand was founded in 1984 by Stefania Campatelli and Flavio Pannocchia to promote Italian avant-garde design. They worked with the leading names of the time (Alessandro Mendini, Andrea Branzi, Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass, founder of the Memphis group). Produced in small, artisanal runs, this first series is not numbered.

2. The limited Tendentse / Alessi edition (1990)

In the late 1980s, the renowned Italian design brand Alessi acquired Tendentse. Right after the acquisition, Alessi decided to release a limited, numbered run of just 90 pieces to celebrate the collection’s integration. This limited edition still uses the original mould from Tendentse’s artisanal period and the editor’s stamp. The model moulds and the “Tendentse” stamp were then destroyed.

3. Wider release: Alessi’s “Tesfrut” series (1990–1992)

After the success of the numbered pieces, Alessi added the bowl to its general catalogue for wider distribution under the name “Tesfrut”. Production is industrial and no longer includes an edition number.

Bibliography:

P. Scarzella-A, A. Branzi, cat. “Vasi Comunicanti: nuova ceramica, nuove Tendentse”, Idea Books, 1988

F. Ferrari, “Ettore Sottsass – Tutta la Ceramica”, Allemandi, 1996