Russia Sotheby's International Realty x Dmitry Gutov
In 2024, Russia Sotheby’s International Realty, luxury real estate agency, collaborated with artist Dmitry Gutov to create the "A Single Line" tea set for its clients. This initiative transformed a corporate New Year’s gift into a piece of the brand’s history, highlighting its connection to the art world.
The luxury real estate brand Sotheby's International Realty is built upon the enduring prestige of the Sotheby's auction house, which marked its 280th anniversary in 2024. The porcelain tea sets were crafted at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, an institution that was also celebrating its 280th anniversary that year. Through this New Year’s gift, we united two brands that share the same age, prestige, heritage, and values.
We offered the com[any's clients a modern take on a classic: Dmitry Gutov — an artist deeply interested in Southeast Asian philosophy — applied his conceptual work "A Single Line" to a classic porcelain cup. The line traces the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe, taken by Ferdinand Magellan and his crew in the early 16th century, depicting the flotilla’s voyage across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This piece of art is part of the brand’s corporate collection.
The endless line embodies boundless freedom, the overcoming of obstacles, and the energy of movement. All of this resonates with the company’s client, a global citizen, who is free to choose where to live and do business, and able to feel at home anywhere. The tea set also evokes the cozy ritual of sharing tea at home — a tradition familiar to diverse cultures, from the Russian samovar gathering and English five-o'clock tea to the Chinese tea ceremony.
"The classic shape of the teacup evokes an inverted celestial dome, while the phrases inscribed upon it are meant to help one mentally transcend the earthly pull of gravity..."
The luxury real estate brand Sotheby's International Realty is built upon the enduring prestige of the Sotheby's auction house, which marked its 280th anniversary in 2024. The porcelain tea sets were crafted at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, an institution that was also celebrating its 280th anniversary that year. Through this New Year’s gift, we united two brands that share the same age, prestige, heritage, and values.
We offered the com[any's clients a modern take on a classic: Dmitry Gutov — an artist deeply interested in Southeast Asian philosophy — applied his conceptual work "A Single Line" to a classic porcelain cup. The line traces the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe, taken by Ferdinand Magellan and his crew in the early 16th century, depicting the flotilla’s voyage across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This piece of art is part of the brand’s corporate collection.
The endless line embodies boundless freedom, the overcoming of obstacles, and the energy of movement. All of this resonates with the company’s client, a global citizen, who is free to choose where to live and do business, and able to feel at home anywhere. The tea set also evokes the cozy ritual of sharing tea at home — a tradition familiar to diverse cultures, from the Russian samovar gathering and English five-o'clock tea to the Chinese tea ceremony.
"The classic shape of the teacup evokes an inverted celestial dome, while the phrases inscribed upon it are meant to help one mentally transcend the earthly pull of gravity..."
Client: Russia Sotheby’s International Realty
Year: 2024
Timeline: 6 месяцев
creative concept - brand storytelling - project management
Objective: create unique New Year's gifts for the company's clients
Solution: a tea set created in collaboration with artist Dmitry Gutov and the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory.
Results:
Year: 2024
Timeline: 6 месяцев
creative concept - brand storytelling - project management
Objective: create unique New Year's gifts for the company's clients
Solution: a tea set created in collaboration with artist Dmitry Gutov and the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory.
Results:
- Limited-edition collection of artisan tea sets (126)
- Booklet featuring the brand and collection story
- New Year’s greeting card
- Video
- Brand storytelling through art
- Emotional engagement and a personal touch