Dezeen Magazine

Roman artefacts influence tableware designs by Jaime Hayón

Milan 2014: Spanish designer Jaime Hayón has created a tableware collection of vessels with metal stands that reference the pottery and architecture of ancient Rome.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
This image: Titus in polished ceramic with brushed brass base. Main image: Colosseum II in silver-plated metal

Jaime Hayón's New Roman collection for Italian brand Paola C is a series of containers in shapes that reference the forms of ancient carafes, plates and large amphorae storage vessels. It was exhibited at Paola C's showroom in Brera during Milan design week.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Tiberius in copper with brushed brass base

"Inspired by the vessels of the Roman Empire, this collection transforms antique references into a celebration of contemporary craft," said Hayon Studio.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Tiberius in polished ceramic with silver plated base

These containers were often originally created with rounded bottoms, so Hayón designed a set of metal stands his designs to stand up on their own.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Tiberius in polished ceramic with silver-plated metal base

Each round-bottomed vessel is made from either metal, ceramic or glass and sits on pedestals in a range of metals, creating a contrast of different textures.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Colosseum II in silver-plated metal with a copper base and Colosseum III in silver-plated metal with a brushed silver-plated metal base. Photograph is by Fabio Padovese

The largest piece in the collection is Colosseum, a large silver-plated bowl atop a brushed brass base shaped like the famous amphitheatre in Rome. There are two smaller versions of Colosseum as well as other plates on simpler bases.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Titus in copper with metal base in gunmetal grey colour

Titus is a vase that sits on a metal stand with four skinny legs. It is available in pale-coloured glass, silver, copper or ceramic, while the base comes in four types of metal.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Titus in transparent glass with silver-plated metal base

Titus is also available in various sizes and with the option of two handles, resembling the amphorae used to transport and store mostly wine by the Romans.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Titus with handles in polished ceramic with a brushed brass base

One of the vessels, Aether, is an oil lamp that comes in either copper or polished ceramic and rests on a brushed brass or copper stand.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Aether oil lamp in copper with brushed brass base and polished ceramic with brushed copper base. Photograph is by Fabio Padovese

Hayón has also created Sagunto, a polished ceramic candle holder with a brushed brass base.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Sagunto

The only object without a separate base is Augustus, a large silver-plated pitcher decorated by Hayón with a comic smiling face.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Augustus

Jaime Hayón also presented a table for furniture company Republic of Fritz Hansen in Milan last week.

New Roman collection by Jaime Hayon for Paola C
Sketch of the New Roman collection

Photography is by Klunderbie, unless otherwise stated.