Piero Fornasetti Rosenthal Mug Black White Female Portrait.Piero Fornasetti serigraphed transfer porcelain coffee or tea mug for Rosenthal Classic Germany from the 1980s. It is from the Julia Collection of Lina Cavalieri. It is hallmarked on the bottom Rosenthal Classic Germany Dekor Time e Variazioni with varying numbers not in any order. This series was introduced by Fornasetti in the 1950s. She was an Italian opera singer and actress and her life span was, 1874-1944. Fornasetti was smitten with her charm and beautiful face. It was very mysterious that they never met but her influence on him was lasting throughout his life. She was his muse in his mind. These are no longer in production. Purchased from Barneys New York. This was never used, just placed in the China cabinet to admire. These are no longer in production. This is a chic way to drink your coffee and or tea. No better than Fornasetti. There are no stains inside, very clean. “Variation is not only a noble endeavour or a musical exercise, but also an intellectual tradition and virtuosity of the imagination,”said Giò Ponti, Italian architect and designer, and close friend of Piero Fornasetti, the man whose obsession with the face of soprano Lina Cavalieri, his theme, led to more than 350 variations on plates, glasses, paperweights and candlesticks.Creator Piero Fornasetti (Designer), Rosenthal (Manufacturer) Dimensions Height: 3.5 in. (8.89 cm) Width: 5 in. (12.7 cm) Depth: 3.25 in. (8.26 cm) Style Modern (Of the Period) Materials and Techniques Porcelain Place of Origin Germany