1616/Arita, Japan/MANZ Tea Cup

1616 / MANZ "Contour"

Based on the archives of Danish ceramic artist Ricard Manz and brought to life through a dialogue with his daughter, Cecilie, the Tea Cup and Hojicha Cup were created. These pieces, born at the intersection of Danish and Japanese cultures, embody a timeless perspective on everyday objects.

From the stackable design to the small foot that fits comfortably in the hand, the quietly refined forms reflect his unwavering aesthetic sensibility, where beauty and function resonate in harmony.The collection comes in three types: “Brown” and “Blue,” both with a glossy finish, and “Natural,” which is glazed only on the inside and left unglazed on the outside.

Born in Germany, Ricardo Mants began his journey in ceramics at the young age of 14. He later moved to Sweden, where his work at Gustavsberg introduced him to the possibilities of studio ceramics and small-batch production.This period marked the beginning of a lifelong journey to explore the relationship between form and function, leading to his unique body of work that combines the warmth of handcrafted pieces with technical precision.

In the 1970s, he came to Japan with his wife, Bodil Manz—also a ceramic artist—and their two young children. The family stayed in Arita, the heart of Japanese porcelain production, where they worked in local studios, engaging with techniques passed down for centuries and blending them with their own Nordic perspective.The 1616 / MANZ “Contour” collection, to be released in 2025, marks a return to those experiences in Arita and can be seen as a quiet homecoming to the place where Richard Manz’s design philosophy was forged.

■ Richard Manz (1933–1999)

Ceramic artist. Born in Esslingen, Germany, in 1933. He established his own studio with his wife, the ceramic artist Bodil Manz. He was the father of designer Cecilie Manz.

■ 1616/arita japan

Arita, in Saga Prefecture—the birthplace of Arita ware—is said to be the site where Japan’s first porcelain was produced in 1616.In collaboration with the people of Arita, who possess a wealth of experience and technical skill , and with designer Teruhiro Yanagihara serving as creative director, this new ceramics brand weaves a narrative that engages with the history leading up to the present day. While upholding tradition, the brand experiments with design approaches that differ from the past, inviting new designers for each series.

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