I accepted the challenge of the Darvari Garden team, which last year launched a premium product, Bzyantium olive oil, Irene edition from 2020-2021 harvest.
Each edition will be inspired by a region and historical figures from the areas where the olives are harvested for these oils, each product telling a story, which is in line with the philosophy of Una ca Luna brand.
I was seduced by this Byzantine theme and set out to offer a contemporary dialogue with the Byzantine tradition. After documentation I was inspired by the richly colored ceramic mosaics and translated them into an element in the shape of a royal crown similar to that found in the representations of the Byzantine Empress Irina / Irene (797-802 AD), the defender of icons, the symbol of this edition of Bzyantium oil.
My concept was outlined around simple but combined geometric shapes, ennobled with these colorful mosaic elements.
I modeled or used molding and carefully engraved the surfaces for the decorative elements in which I inserted colored glazes, and the chosen material was a white stoneware on the surface of which I applied satin glazes with patina effect and pastel iridescence, alternating textured and neat surfaces. Their burning took place at 1240C, offering durability to the vessels.
In this series I’ve created cups for serving frozen yogurt with honey, platters for syrup cakes, carafe for precious oil, platters and other tableware items that you can find for sale in limited edition in my shop.
I am delighted with this royal ceramic collection and the photo shoot turned them into a beautiful Byzantine story!