Ciottoli

“This work aims to showcase the mineral and thermal properties of this ancestral stone, and the cultural legacy it is associated with in Valchiavenna. Using the long-standing tradition of soapstone cookware as our springboard, we decided to concentrate on particular moments of serving and eating hot and cold dishes that go well with an earthy material, as if the vessel were an ingredient of the final dish. Each object maximises the surface area that comes into contact with the food and emphasises proportions with the hand, allowing a tactile connection of warmth or coolness through the stone. The design highlights soft, primitive and pure forms that reflect the nature of the material. The set includes an ice cream bowl, a soup bowl and a larger bowl for serving dishes that need to be kept warm for long periods of time.” CARA \ DAVIDE

“The designers went straight to the heart of the history and traditional use of soapstone. Always respecting the nature of the material, they have managed to interpret its ancestral uses with contemporary forms, creating objects that are small yet representative, crafted with a careful and sustainable use of a natural material with only limited availability. I appreciated how they listened with interest and respect to the history of soapstone, which represents the millennial culture of our valley. The greatest challenge was to create shapes I had never produced before, especially on a lathe that is almost 100 years old, where everything has to be done by hand without the aid of technology. Similarly, the two designers’ project was brought to life using hand, eye and heart.” Roberto Lucchinetti