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Luminous porcelain surfaces command immediate attention in Mikhail Chistiakov's Attimo Tea Set, where bone-white ceramic vessels emerge against a dramatic charcoal-gray backdrop that amplifies their s
Mikhail Chistiakov's Attimo Tea Set emerges from a ground of warm golden ochre, a luminous field reminiscent of aged parchment or the patina of polished brass, establishing an atmospheric envelope tha
Mikhail Chistiakov's Attimo Tea Set presents a refined study in contemporary ceramic design rendered through selective focus that isolates the teacup and saucer in crystalline clarity while allowing t
Mikhail Chistiakov's Attimo Tea Set presents a refined compositional study in spatial arrangement and material presence, captured through professional product photography that employs a neutral mid-to
Mikhail Chistiakov's Attimo Tea Set presents a pristine white ceramic cup and saucer arrangement captured against a gradient charcoal-to-slate background, establishing a study in minimalist product de

Altavolo

Gold Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design · 2021

Attimo Tea Set

by Mikhail Chistiakov

  • A' Design Award 2021 Gold Winner in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design
  • Awarded April 15, 2021
  • CLIENT: Altavolo
  • Estimated Number of Design Views: 58,377
  • Verification code 175FD7667E · Verify this award
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About Attimo Tea Set

Attimo (meaning "moment") tea set is made of first-class thin-walled bone china. The metaphor of the shape of objects is a stopped moment of time. The handle-stone falls on the smooth surface of the porcelain, and creates "circles on the water" running along the object. So every touch for the handle is a touch for frozen time. This complex asymmetric shape of the service items is especially difficult when implemented in porcelain. However, the use of the hollow handle technique, proactive correction of firing deformations, made it possible to achieve an ideal geometry.

The Attimo Tea Set by Mikhail Chistiakov represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary tableware design, positioning itself within a lineage of ceramic innovation that honors both functional tradition and sculptural experimentation. The collection demonstrates how utilitarian domestic objects can transcend their practical origins to achieve status as contemplative forms worthy of extended visual engagement. Chistiakov's approach reveals sophisticated understanding of how surface texture transforms perception of familiar vessel typologies, the undulating horizontal bands creating visual movement that suggests temporal duration, perhaps evoking the moment of liquid poured or the meditative patience of tea ceremony traditions. The elliptical handle design presents a particularly notable formal innovation, departing from conventional loop configurations to create continuous forms that generate their own internal negative spaces, inviting the hand while simultaneously addressing the eye as abstract sculptural elements. Technical accomplishment manifests in the precise consistency of the textural grooves across multiple pieces, suggesting either remarkable manual skill or thoughtful integration of production methodologies that achieve handcraft aesthetics through controlled processes. The pure white glaze selection amplifies the textural drama, allowing raking light to articulate every ridge and valley while maintaining the material honesty that characterizes the finest ceramic traditions. One observes potential dialogue with the organic modernism of mid-twentieth-century Nordic design as well as the refined minimalism associated with contemporary East Asian ceramic practices, suggesting cross-cultural synthesis that speaks to globalized design discourse. The presentation against neutral tones and natural fiber surfaces further emphasizes the collection's aspirational positioning as objects for mindful domestic rituals. Viewers might consider how such designs invite slower engagement with daily practices, transforming routine beverage service into opportunities for aesthetic appreciation and sensory awareness.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
This form was created in an attempt to capture the moment. The handle-stone "falls" on the porcelain and creates circles running across the surface of the object. This frozen picture gives rise to the illusion that the solid material becomes soft and pliable, the same as the original kaolin clay from which the objects were made.Thus, every time in the everyday use of the utilitarian items of the set, we touch the frozen moment.
Dimensions & Packaging
Teapot 150 x 95 x 165mm 633g 600ml. Sugar bowl 110 x 110 x 80mm 382g 300mll. Cup 72 x 72 x 85mm 210g 220ml
Tags
Tea set, Teapot, Cup, Sugar bowl, Tableware, Porcelain
Production Technology
Bone china. This material was chosen instead of traditional porcelain in order to gain more control over the stability of the shape during the firing process, as well as to reduce the wall thickness and reduce weight.
Design Challenge
The complex asymmetric shape of service items is difficult to implement in porcelain. It is especially difficult to achieve stable quality when creating a large number of products. However, the choice of bone china as the material, the use of the hollow handle technique, and the proactive correction of deformations during firing, made it possible to achieve an ideal geometry. Thus, the implementation of the points is fully consistent with the concept.
Project Duration
The project started in 2019 and finished in 2020 in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
Operation Flow
Unusual for traditional porcelain, the handle has a complex bionic shape with variable thickness. This makes the use of the set items very ergonomic, suitable for different people. At the same time, the handle is a good thermal insulator due to the fact that it is hollow inside.
Research
An important step in the design research was to find a handle shape that would resemble a stone, but at the same time maintain a balance with technology and ease of use. We also searched for the ratio of the handle size and the wave amplitude on the surface, and its attenuation. The found shape corresponds to the general idea of the project, but at the same time resists deformation during firing.
Inspiration
The philosophy of the present moment.
The beauty of every moment.
Slow movement.
Image Credits
Image #1: Photographer Kazakov Petr
Image #2: Photographer Kazakov Petr
Image #3: Photographer Chistiakova Yuliia
Image #4: Photographer Chistiakov Mikhail
Image #5: Photographer Chistiakova Yuliia

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