Guzzini French Press in Orange Plastic and Heat-Resistant Glass, Italy, 1970s

This Guzzini french press exemplifies the Italian approach to everyday objects an approach where even the simple act of brewing coffee becomes an opportunity to create something visually striking. Dating from the 1970s, this piece combines clear glass with plastic elements in a vivid orange hue, producing the material contrast so characteristic of the era.

The construction follows the classic french press mechanism: a heat-resistant glass cylinder houses a plunger with a filter that separates grounds from the brew. Orange plastic forms the structural frame — encasing the glass carafe, shaping the handle, and crowning the lid. The proportions are slender, and despite its solid build, the whole piece appears light. The amber tone of the plastic details lends the object a warm, optimistic character typical of Italian design from this decade.

Guzzini, a family company from Recanati, has shaped the aesthetics of Italian homes since the 1930s. By the 1970s, the brand had become synonymous with bold use of plastics in colours impossible to achieve with traditional materials. Designers working with the firm treated plastic not as a cheap substitute but as a medium with its own formal possibilities enabling organic shapes, intense colours, and mass production without sacrificing character. This french press belongs to the Italian Modern movement that democratised good design, bringing it from living rooms into kitchens.

The slender form, standing twenty-three centimetres tall with a ten-centimetre diameter, holds enough coffee for one or two servings. The clear glass allows you to observe the brewing process and gauge the strength of your drink.

Condition is good with no significant flaws. The piece retains full functionality and visual appeal.

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