Vintage Bialetti Stovetop Espresso Coffee Pot and Five Black Porcelain Cups with Metal Holders

We have “married” a vintage Italian Bialetti stovetop steam percolator, or “caffettiera,” with five black porcelain cups with gold rims and removable metal holders, for a very mid-century modern coffee set.  All the pieces are at least 20 years old.  The heavy aluminum coffee pot is complete with funnel, filter plate, and gasket.  The pot is fully marked (both top and bottom) and includes the company’s logo, the ‘little man with a mustache,” created in the 1950s by artist Paul Campani.  The flat band that connects the upper and lower chambers is marked “Dama.” The cups are not marked.

The coffee pot design was first patented in 1933 by Italian inventor Luigi De Ponti for Alfonso Bialetti.  Bialetti continues to produce the same model under the name “Moka Express,” having changed some of the design elements over the decades.  Several other companies have adopted De Ponti’s original design, newer models being made of stainless steel.  It’s safe to say that every Italian home includes at least one stovetop espresso maker, and sometimes even several in different sizes.  Coffee made in this fashion is most popular in Southern Europe and some South American countries with large Italian populations, such as Uruguay and Argentina.  See dimensions and condition description below.  

APPROX. DIMENSIONS:   COFFEE POT: 8.5″ tall; capacity: 8 fl. oz. to make 8 cups of single espresso shots, or 4 doubles.  CUPS: 2 7/8″ tall x 3″ diameter at the rim; capacity: 4 fl. oz., enough room to add hot milk for lattes or steamed milk for cappuccinos.

CONDITION: Excellent used vintage condition.  The coffee pot is very clean inside; it shows some shelf wear and minor scuffs and scratches consistent with age.  The cups and holders are intact with no chips or cracks; very minor loss of gold on the cup rims.

SHIPPING: $10 flat rate shipping valid only for street addresses within contiguous United States; we cannot deliver to post office boxes.  For shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and elsewhere, please contact us with your location for a custom shipping quote.

A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE: Our inventory consists of vintage or antique items which are more than 20 years old, usually used or pre-owned, unless marked “new old stock.”  As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.  All items ship with tracking and insurance, and although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit, upon receipt of sufficient proof. 

Thank you for shopping AlegriaCollection–and please visit the rest of my shop here: https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/alegriacollection/