Vellum - A Material Exploration

Vellum was inspired by the silhouette of the Bocci 21 Random - canopy pendant. Rather than just recreating its form, the project became an exploration of material, craft, and process.

The construction of the 21 Random - Canopy, suggests a slip-cast manufacturing process, resulting in a highly refined and uniform form. Vellum takes a contrasting approach. Instead of slip casting, porcelain was rolled as thinly as possible by hand, allowing the material's delicacy to guide the design. This created opportunities to experiment with textures and surface impressions that could be embedded directly into the clay.

The making process was highly iterative, requiring numerous material tests to understand the limits and possibilities of thin porcelain. Ultimately, Vellum is less about arriving at a specific form and more about documenting a process of experimentation where the material itself informed each design decision. The pendant features a cluster of clay shades, engaging the senses with a harmonious blend of visual interest, sound, and an earthy touch. This design embodies the principles of wabi-sabi, celebrating resilience and the beauty of imperfection, much like the human journey itself, flawed, yet uniquely beautiful and rich with character.