Throughout its history, Ritzenhoff has collaborated with nearly 300 emerging and established artists, as well as architects and designers from around the world, to create “whimsical wares for the tabletop.” The result of such creative minds working together has been an impressive selection of glass and porcelain designs -- 42 collections in all -- that are modern and sophisticated, yet speak to a more hand-crafted, personalized practice as well.
Viva Variety
Much as it has not been content to rest just with one designer or even one design theme, Ritzenhoff also has not rested on the success of just one product, diving into all areas of tabletop and just about anything that will appeal to a consummate entertainer.
The company’s collections range from beer glasses to espresso cups, champagne flutes to breakfast boards, not to mention some very funky collectible “teddy banks,” with new variations on these themes coming every year.
Designer Treatment
Ritzenhoff has turned to designers and artists such as Karim Rashid, Roger Selden and Philip Argent, to name just a few, to bring a sophisticated playfulness to its collections. The results could be labeled whimsical, they could be labeled contemporary but, perhaps it’s best not to label them at all. Perhaps it’s best to simply let them live out their purpose to engage and entertain us and to be shared among friends.
Latest Work
The collections at Ritzenhoff seem to expand daily. Most recently, the company has made designer additions including new pilsner-style beer glasses, Weizen beer glasses, prosecco glasses, champagne flutes, coffee cup sets (including pieces suitable for cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee beverages that require greater depth).These are pieces that are meant to be shared in more ways than one. Gift-ready packaging and extras like stainless steel teaspoons with the coffee cups and coordinating coasters with the beer glasses make this selection ideal for giving, as well as collecting for oneself.
Stepping away from beverages, Ritzenhoff put designers to work on bringing a bit of fun to the basic breakfast board for a line called Simply Brett. The boards are of break-resistant, dishwasher-safe glass and bring a dose of design to the morning with motifs ranging from florals to outer space.
Prosecco & Pearls
The Pearls line in particular speaks to springtime, much as the light-hearted bubbles of its intended beverage speak to celebrations of all kinds. The prosecco glass series is also a good example of just how many artists are consulted for each line Ritzenhoff develops. Pearls alone includes designs by Cocetta Lorenzo, Marie Peppercorn, Jacob Pringiers, Angela Schiewer, Roger Selden and Shari Warren.
The pieces in this line are housed in coordinated cylindrical boxes, so they’re not only easy to store, but make ideal hostess gifts as well.
