Selfportrait | Plate

The appeal of the Silk Road – the route which connected the East to the West, reaching as far as Venice – is brought back to life by this object inspired by Chinese fans, where the mirror is offered as a refined female accessory. The lightness and harmony of the pleats, typical of paper fans, are recaptured by the lines of the solid wood handle, opening up to create a simple and harmonious design: a unique grip, created by an expert Vicenza wood carver, which holds the mirror composed of a thin plate of brushed stainless steel. This small and evocative accessory also features a support base for use on a dressing table, and a wall mount.

The Inspiration
/Self-por-trait/ Attributed to Hephaestus, in ancient times the mirror was composed of a perfectly polished sheet of bronze, gold or silver. The subsequent technique of producing glass mirrors was equally precious, and therefore available only to the few: for this reason mirrors, the feminine accessory par excellence, have always been considered a symbol of beauty and luxury.

The designers
Like ballad singers, designers tell of far-off and imaginary worlds through shapes, techniques and materials; they bring traditions from the past into the present to help them continue in the future. And thus decorative languages, artisan techniques and formal experimentation entwine to create different stories each time. Regaining knowledge which is disappearing, enclosing the memory of a place in an object: the work of a designer is not just creating products, but making the magic of an entire atmosphere take shape through a single object.

The craftsman
Every corner of his workshop is imbued with the scent of dried wood; Marino and his joinery workshop are not a unique example in Italy, but certainly a rare one, belonging to an area rich in high quality craft manufacturing near Vicenza. After many years of experience in mechanical engineering, which taught him the importance of attention to details, precision and quality workmanship, in the 1980s Marino decided to throw himself into woodwork, taking on the most highly perfumed and living of all materials. He was also able to transmit this passion to his children, who work alongside him actively in all areas of the workshop, specialising both in smaller items and in furnishings for the most important Italian companies.