Inspired by the opera of the same name by Giacomo Puccini, the Turandot decor is an homage to the 18th-century chinoiseries, which already played an important role in the Rosenthal designs of the late 19th century. A lavish farandole of peony blossoms, bamboo, and ginkgo leaves in delicate colors meets golden dragonflies. The background for the poetic porcelain paintings is a white or dark blue background framed by a narrow gold rim. Gianni Cinti tells us that he had the idea for the complex decoration when he remembered a visit to the shore of West Lake in Hangzhou, China. The interweaving of Western and Eastern elements is emphasized by the extension of the collection to include elements of classical Chinese food culture such as rice and soup bowls, porcelain spoons, chopstick holders, and tea caddies.
