Bronze Fine Arts and Art Installation Design · 2022
Leaf Tall Vase
- A' Design Award 2022 Bronze Winner in Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Riva
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 12,669
- Verification code 96DA61E7A3 · Verify this award
About Leaf Tall Vase
Nature materializes strongly in the Leaf Tall vase created by French designer Pierre Foulonneau. The vase associate crystal and metal in a poetic design where a golden leaf sits in a transparent pedestal. The results is a vase bearing an unalterable natural presence, even when empty. And, during flower season, the metal part acts as a receptacle for greeting and showcasing fresh flowers.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Leaf vase is a crystal vase holding a metal leaf shaped part. The metal leaf give the object an unalterable natural presence, even when empty. Seated in its transparent pedestal, the leaf plays with light and reflections as they change along the day, bringing life into a poetic still life composition.
And, during flower season, the leaf acts as a receptacle for greeting and showcasing fresh flowers. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions : H 32 x dia 12.5 cm
- Tags
- elegance, crafts, nature inspired, luxury, emotional, poetic
- Production Technology
- The vase is made of italian mouth blown crystal and the leaf is spun brass with silver, 24 carat gold, or nickel black platting finish.
- Design Challenge
- The spun brass part is very deep and therefore challenging to obtain. For the same reason the polishing was challenging too.
We also had to test several suppliers to find one that could deliver the challenging angular shapes of the glass part in a crystal clear finish that allows the leaf to appear inside the vase. - Project Duration
- Project began in September 2018 and was launched in February 2020.
The design was created in Nantes, France and the development and production happened in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. - Operation Flow
- This design is a vase to be use as a decorative item for he home.
The leaf shaped metal part is placed on top of the crystal vase and act as a holder for fresh flowers. - Research
- The project originated with an observation : nature is fragile and fleeting; life comes and goes; dies and reborn, season after season.
Vases by their function are often used half of the year to display flowers and lies empty or hidden the other half.
I then set to research ways to create a vase that keeps evoking nature despite being empty and out of flower season. - Inspiration
- My intention with the Leaf collection was to create objects that captures and mimic nature.
The metal leaf give the object an unalterable natural presence, even when empty.
By their design, the objects from the Leaf collection pay an homage to both Riva’s craftsmanship and the luxurious nature of Brazil. - Image Credits
- Image #N°1 : photo by Jean-Charles Queffelec
Image #N°2,3,4,5 : photos by Studio Riva
Colors of Leaf Tall Vase
Design Interview about Leaf Tall Vase
I was inspired by the fragile and fleeting aspect of nature, how life comes and goes according to seasons.
My intention with the design of the “Leaf” vases was to create objects that captures and mimic nature.
The “Leaf” vases are a family of crystal vases, each one of them holding a metal leaf shaped part. The metal leaves give the object an unalterable natural presence, even when empty. Seated in their transparent pedestals, the leaves play with light and reflections as they change along the day, bringing life into a poetic “still life” composition. And, during flower season, the leaves will act as a receptacle for greeting and showcasing fresh flowers.
The “Leaf” vases are a family of crystal vases, each one of them holding a metal leaf shaped part. The metal leaves give the object an unalterable natural presence, even when empty. Seated in their transparent pedestals, the leaves play with light and reflections as they change along the day, bringing life into a poetic “still life” composition. And, during flower season, the leaves will act as a receptacle for greeting and showcasing fresh flowers.
Once the idea sprung in my head the design came along rather quickly, it was a matter of weeks i'd say. However, it took me several years to find the right company to develop it with.
I noticed -on our latitude at least- vases by their function are often used half of the year to display flowers and lies empty or hidden the other half. I just wanted to create a vase that could evoke nature even when empty.
It is indeed produce by a Brazilian company called RIVA. They are specialist in designing and producing high end metal objects. They were the perfect company to develop and produce this particular item.
I'm an admirer of Scandinavian design in general, Tapio Wirkkala in particular and his refined ability to express or represent nature in is work. I also like the simplicity, elegance and playfulness of Achille Castiglioni for exemple.
I wouldn't talk about influences but rather how their work or approach to design infused in mine.
I wouldn't talk about influences but rather how their work or approach to design infused in mine.
People that appreciate a touch of poetry in the objects that surround them
The Leaf vase is already a beautiful piece on its own and will only looks better with flowers.
I think it is pretty obvious!
it's never about the tool, but what you do with it. The best design tool ever is a brain, a pen and paper!
It always sparks a reaction in people that see it for the first time.
I collaborated with RIVA, a Brazilian company specialized in high end metal items. They helped me to make my design a reality and now produce and sell this item. A good design, needs a great execution and RIVA have very skillful craftsmen.
None! it comes straight from the heart
Finding the right people to produce the different parts. By that I mean people that can reach my level of requirement.
I had been solicited or encouraged several times in the past years.
Only this object has brought nothing but good to me since its creation and this year felt like the right time to submit it.
Only this object has brought nothing but good to me since its creation and this year felt like the right time to submit it.
Starting and developing a relationship with a new client, diving into it's culture and history, gaining an understanding of its philosophy and production capacity. It is always rewarding.
Grand Interview about Leaf Tall Vase
Well, the "leaf" part had to have a strong presence and due to the shape and the production process, brass was the best choice. Regarding the vase part it had to "disappear" as much as possible. As a matter of fact, confirmation came through prototyping, we tried some sanded glass and it completely killed the vibe of the vase. So we kept looking until we found the right manufacturer as we wanted to have a quality of crystal that matched the quality of the metal part.
This is simple observation especially of my mum at home. Also as a designer I always question the status quo and I saw in this seasonality of the vase an opportunity to propose something different.
The spun brass shape actually started as a two parts piece. It is now only one part thanks to the R'n'D at Riva. This company holds seasoned workers and masters of metal with a long culture of product development. Developing a good product takes time, patients, skills and countlessly learning and challenging how things are done. Regarding the crystal it is a combination of finding the right manufacturer and investing to have a good and long lasting tooling to ensure quality and consistency over time.
I found in RIVA the perfect company to develop this project. A brand with a bold and daring attitude that still owns its manufacturing plant. The Leaf vase may seems simple but it is actually not that easy to produce. I think the philosophy behind the object was fresh and surprising, and the refinement of the design actually transcend RIVA’s craftsmanship and pay homage to the luxurious nature of Brazil. Moreover, it is quite an accomplishment when you design and produce an object that breathes life and warmth into a cold and stiff material and by doing so create a poetic “still life” composition.
In fact, it has a lot to do with the mirror finish quality achieved by RIVA. The object will reflects perfectly its surrounding. However, the curvy shape of the leaf, similar to a trumpet's bell make the reflection distorted and "dancing" as you move around the vase.It generates a dynamic reflection when you look at the vase from different angles, bringing life into the object.
The first moment was -after many samples and testing- being confirmed that the crystal has to be fully transparent to ensure a proper understanding of the object aesthetic and functionality.The second was when we find the way to have the spun brass part made in only one part which made the manufacturing less costly and more effective for a better result.
These are the three plating option that are "mastered" by RIVA, the brand manufacturing and selling the product.They have reached a very high quality of finish with these three options. Also, it gave many contrasting options from warm to cold or light to dark depending on your interior. And finally, gold and nickel black are very stable whereas silver oxidate over time offering an evolving natural patina.
Indeed, and specially when you have established that the vase can only be crystal clear. Crystal doesn't tolerate approximations nor defects. We had therefore to find a supplier with very high standard material, showing no bubbles, allowing thin walls and sharp edges. Then we went for metal tooling for surface quality and precise details as well as consistency over time.
The leaf vase is an answer to seasonality in the temporality of a vase. The product even when empty will still fulfil its purpose of suggesting nature. It will look as a whole even with no flowers. It will look enough by itself.
I feel like it lies deep into my approach and philosophy and it will often be present in my future creations as long as I think it serves a purpose.