Dutch heritage delftware met Spanish contemporary wood lighting at the recent Maison&Objet design trade fair in Paris. Presenting its stand at the famous fair, Royal Delft incorporated three handsome LZF Link pendants designed by Ray Power. The wood lamps, with their billowing cloud-like forms, certainly made for an unexpected yet winsome addition to the famous delft brand’s showcase.

Founded in the 17th century, Royal Delft is the last remaining earthenware factory in the town of Delft (in the Netherlands). Here, its celebrated Delft Blue pieces are still entirely painted by hand. The brand’s display at Maison&Objet was a wonderful edit of its extensive collection. From ‘The Original Blue’ towering Tulip vase pyramid to lavishly decorated plates and platters to new ‘Blue’ products at Royal Delft, the exhibited items were true blue stars.

Yet visitors to the Royal Delft stand could be forgiven for tilting their heads upwards and admiring the graceful LZF Link pendants on display. This punctiliously crafted handmade light is one that captivates the eye, its intricate form working to highlight the beautiful qualities of curved wood veneer. In the Link pendant, the natural properties of wood are hard to miss with the light’s timber grain particularly noteworthy.

It is often those ideas and things perceived to be mismatched that make for the best pairings, something that happens frequently in architecture and design. On the face of it, LZF and Royal Delft are worlds apart. However, in reality they share certain similar characteristics and ideals. The two companies embrace the exquisite nature of well-crafted design. At LZF and Royal Delft, luxury is rarely crass or brash, but instead embraces the many values of good design: thoughtful innovation, functionality, care and accuracy in the design process and an aesthetic sensibility.

As such, Royal Delft’s choice to incorporate LZF’s Link pendants in the design of its Maison&Objet stand is a clever one. The Link lamps work to add a perfect modern twist to the Dutch brand’s more traditional display, the two bonding in a balanced and congruous embrace.

 

Written by Gerard McGuickin