HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
This Christmas, gift treasures.
Support independent architect-makers whose handcrafted art pieces are chosen for its craft, beauty and longevity. We’ve curated gift guides intended to delight, intrigue and treasure for years to come.
Nightlights of Mexico City is a collection of classic glasses inspired by the nightlife of Mexico’s cultural golden age in the 1950s: sequined dresses, mambo dancers, salsa, cumbia rhythms.
+ Hand blown sturdy glasses made 100% from recycled glass. Each glass is made individually and produced collaboratively across a team of six people.
+ The glasses come in two sizes, tumblers and beer glasses, and in four colours: clear, smoke, green and pink.
+ The glasses can be purchased in sets of 4, 6 or 8 pieces and will include at least one of each colour.
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Year: 2022
Size: Tumblers: 8.5cm x 9cm (400ml); Beer Glasses: 8.5cm x 12cm (600ml)
Materials: Hand blown 100% recycled glass
Credits: Design by Omar Ortiz Franco; production made in Tonalá, Jalisco México by Oscar Preciado
This collection of Yuna and Liv ikebana-style vases represents the brokenness and loss we experienced during our lifetimes. It reminds us that nothing is genuinely damaged, no matter how painful it might seem at the time. The pieces take their ethos from the Japanese art of Kintsugi. The founder draws inspiration from the wisdom of Kintsugi - highlighting the pivotal moment in the life of an object.
+ Yuna and Liv are made to order in six weeks
+ The base is solid with a 1/2" dia x 2.75" deep hole drilled in the top
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Year: 2021
Size: 8 x 4in
Weight: 1 lb
Materials: wood
DETAIL AND CARE
These vases are meant for ornamental or dry use only.
by Pete Davies
Dimmable glass orb set within a hand-cast monolithic base, made using 3D printed formwork.
+ Dimmable lightbulb, with adjustable white temperature tones. Controlled via remote control.
+ VAT is excluded.
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Year: 2022
Size: W: 160mm, D: 160mm, H: 240mm
Materials: concrete, plaster, glass and LED
by John Wray IV
Carved individually by hand, each vessel is a brand-new and unique creation. After roughing out each form, a section of the body is “eroded” away, revealing a small handle. At the top of the neck, a small void is core drilled to hold your favourite dried flower bud or twig.
+ All vessels are 2.5” (6.35cm) in diameter on average. Height is variable and should be specified upon ordering.
+ The vessels are available in three material options. Choose from reclaimed black walnut (Juglans Nigra), white oak (Quercus Alba) or ebonized species (India Ink).
+ Each piece is finished and sealed with a matte oil-based polyurethane wood finish for maximum protection.
+ If you wish to purchase multiple vessels such as a set of 3 each at unique heights, kindly specify desired sizes when you order.
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Year: 2022
Size: 6.35cm (L) x 6.35cm (W) x 15.25 - 33cm (H)
Weight: -
Materials: reclaimed black walnut (Juglans Nigra), white oak (Quercus Alba) or ebonized species (India Ink)
In the Náhuatl language, Xopan means “time of green” which in turn refers to spring. Xopan is a variation of Manantial (spring) and has been scratched to generate the grooves for seeds to germinate. The vase transforms from a black, solid element to a living, breathing element for seeds to grow. Xopan represents Spring, and the cycle of nature: water flows from the mud to become stone, which then gives life to plants.
Made of black Oaxacan clay, the vase was carefully baked at a low temperature with wood, not glaze, and filters light humidity through its walls. The vase itself resists fire below 950 degrees so it can be used to burn charcoal inside, as an incense holder, or simply to contain water for flowers and other plants.
The vase is held off the ground by a hand-carved stone base made of volcanic stone known as recinto. The shape of the base is inspired by the legs of a molcajete - the traditional Mexican version of the mortar and pestle used to grind spices and chilli peppers - while the arches refer to the basic shape of a cave entrance, thus creating an empty space between the ground and the black clay vase.
+ Limited stock available, after which Xopan will be made to order and has a lead time of two months for production.
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Year: 2022
Size: 10cm x 21cm
Weight: 1.5kg
Materials: Volcanic stone, black clay
Credits: Design by Omar Ortiz Franco; black clay vase made by Cesia Tonantzin; volcanic stone manufactured by Marmoles Covarruvias.
The Lime Moondust Bottle is part of the Bottle collection, which is a modern take on the traditional profile of a bottle. Its complex hexagonal structure creates a dynamic, ever-changing appearance depending on the viewing angle.
All bottles are slip-cast and hand dipped with reactive glazes. While fired they become molten and the colours swirl together for a unique effect. Moondust starts its life unlike any other clay bodies. White clay is treated using a specially formulated mason stain to transform the clay into an ethereal black colour. When this body interacts with the patterned glazes, it results in a matte metallic appearance reminiscent of traditional Raku techniques.
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Year: 2021
Size: 11.5 x 28cm
Weight: 4lb
Materials: Ceramic
DETAIL AND CARE
Please note this is a decorative piece not intended to be used with water.
HOMEWARE
Gifts for the home. Rest assured every item in this collection was thoughtfully designed and lovingly handmade to adorn your home. Form, function and beauty merge to illuminate and inspire. From Pete Davies‘ sculptural lamp to Whirl & Whittle’s calming ikebana vases, we hope you’ll find an artwork to suit any home.
This collection includes designs by Alejandra Design, John Wray IV, La Muerte Tiene Permiso, Pete Davies and Whirl & Whittle.
by Charis Tsang
+ Comes in a pack of 6.
+ Each piece is printed by hand without the aid of a press onto Japanese calligraphy paper.
+ The cards are riso-printed by Earthbound Press. This method of printing was specifically chosen as it emulates the hand-printed quality of the original linoprint source material, therefore subtle variations are to be expected between each card (even if they are of the same design).
+ Each card is A6 (105 x 148 mm) in size, printed on 300gsm white paper, with a brief description of the building and print on the back. The inside is left blank for your own message and comes with a kraft brown envelope.
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Size: A6 (105 x 148 mm)
Weight: 90g
Materials: 300gsm white paper, Kraft paper envelope
DETAIL AND CARE
The cards are riso-printed by Earthbound Press. This method of printing was specifically chosen as it emulates the hand-printed quality of the original linoprint source material, therefore subtle variations are to be expected between each card (even if they are of the same design).
by Pete Davies
The 'Home in a Frame' range offers the opportunity to have a bespoke miniature 3D-printed home fabricated and framed. They can come in a range of sizes, colours and finishes.
1. Send address / photos of the home
2. Home facade 3D-modeled and 3D-printed
3. Framed and posted
+ Made to order in 2 weeks.
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Year: 2020
Size: 28 x 28cm
Materials: 3D-printed PLA
by Jessica In
All Original Plotter Drawings are drawn using archival quality pigmented ink or ball point on high quality sheets of acid-free 280gsm Bristol board. Each drawing is signed and numbered with an edition number, packaged with a little slip of code which was used to generate the key part of the drawing. Note that this is an original plotter drawing, not a digital reproduction. It is drawn with an AxiDraw V3/A3 and comes unframed.
+ All drawings are unique, individually numbered and signed/initialed.
+ Made to order; please allow one week for production.
+ Customisation is available upon request, ie. different pen options; please contact hello@gubns.co.
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Year: 2021
Size: 12 x 12in (304.8mm square)
Weight: approx. 200g
Materials: 280gsm Smooth Bristol board, Pigma Micron ink pens or Schneider ball
DETAIL AND CARE
Please note that almost all plots have a degree of variation to them so each is unique. Pens and paper also have a quality that lends themselves to imperfections and artifacts that contribute to the uniqueness of the piece.
by Yuqiao Guo
Yuqiao’s painting practice is rooted in her fascination with the narrative capacities of our own bodies. Seen through the lens of self-portrait, Yuqiao's figures occupy and dissolve into spaces in manners both surreal and intimate. Devoid of overt emotions or direct engagement with the viewer, the figures remain ever-ephemeral and become metaphorical of one's own presence inside their personal space. Rituals of the Morning is an original oil painting on canvas, signed and dated by the artist.
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Year: 2021
Size: 30in x 24in
Weight: 150g
Materials: oil on canvas
Cyborg Taxonomy is an ongoing project that works to resist the ‘human’ representation of traditional plant taxonomies. Crafted through machine-capturing of plants, the prints record minute details and patterns that are perhaps too frequently overlooked by the human eye. Anomalous colours and blurred resolutions are inspired by the visual perception of insect and bird life. Purposely designed to be produced at large scale, the work manipulates physical scale to reverse, and encourages a rethinking of the relationship between human viewer and natural subject.
+ A2 print, unframed or framed
+ Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Pearl, 320 gsm, 100% cotton. This pure cotton paper with pearl-gloss premium inkjet coating produces outstanding prints with exceptional reproduction of colour and detail, deep blacks and beautiful contrasts. The acid- and lignin-free Photo Rag® Pearl meets the most exacting requirements for age resistance.
+ Framing: Prints come in a beautifully hand-crafted solid wood frame with black finish and glass front. Two framing options:
Black Wooden Frame (54x74cm) with a white textured passe-partout/mount to fit A2 print (42x59.4cm)
Black Wooden Frame (45x63cm) without mount to fit A2 print (42x59.4cm)
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Year: 2020
Size: Unframed: 42cm x 59.4cm
Framed:
- 54x74cm with mount
- 45x63cm without mount
- Moulding Depth: 22mm
- Moulding Width: 22mm
- Rebate: 9mm
Weight: 50g
Materials: A2 Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Pearl, 320 gsm, 100% cotton. Frame: Solid wood, glass
+ Signed and dated by the artist.
+ Edition of 50. Frame for best results.
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Year: 2021
Size: 58.8 x 76.2cm / 22in x 30in
Materials: Gicleé print on fine art paper
PRINTS & PAINTINGS
Diversity in 2D. Architects extend their skills to artworks across a variety of materials and mediums: from linocuts and plotting to 3D-printing and painting. Framed and unframed, this untraditional collection is unique, bespoke and full of surprises.
This collection includes designs by Helena Francis, Jessica In, Monokraum, Pete Davies, Xavier de la Roche and Yuqiao Guo.
Sculptural ceramic candle holders are made by hand. The fired clay is left raw and unglazed, celebrating the natural colour and texture of the clay body. The hollow vessels can double as a vase for dried flowers.
+ Currently, we have style ‘b’ available in stock.
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Year: 2022
Size: 18cm x 5cm
Weight: 230g
Materials: Clay, Ceramics
Inspired by ancient ruins and primitive sculptural forms, the chess set attempts to create an aesthetic that is both sleek and contemporary without losing the distinct figuration of original chess piece design. Using a careful process of digital sculpting, the pieces are carved out in virtual space before being 3D printed using sustainable production processes with biodegradable filament.
+ This chess set is made to order in London and has a lead time of two weeks for production, after which your order will be shipped.
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Year: 2021
Size: 5cm x 34cm x 34cm
Weight: 1.2kg
Materials: PLA, lead weights
by Pete Davies
An eroded textured strata base reveals a smooth glowing opal glass orb.
+ Available in two sizes:
Strata Light 1: W: 180mm D: 180mm H: 180mm (W: 7.09in D:7.09in H: 7.09in)
Strata Light 2: W: 200mm D: 180mm H: 270mm (W: 7.87in D: 7.09in H: 10.63in)
+ Dimmable lightbulb, with adjustable white temperature tones. Controlled via remote control.
+ VAT is excluded.
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Year: 2022
Weight: Strata Light 1: 1.7kg (3.75lb), Strata Light 2: 2.15kg (4.74lb)
Materials: concrete, plaster, glass and LED
by Poivy
Designed in Brooklyn and handmade in Carapeguá, Paraguay by local artisans, these travel-size blankets are small enough to conveniently take with you anywhere. It’s the perfect personal blanket for the plane, beach or park trip, and durable enough to take camping or use as a towel.
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Year: 2022
Sizes: 4’ x 4’
Weight: 1 lb 4 oz
Materials: 100% cotton
Credits: photographs by PoivyParaguay for all photographs; artisans: Genaro and Nimia Velazquez; designed by Veronica Acosta
DETAIL AND CARE
Kindly note, each piece is handmade and may differ slightly from the image shown. Wash cold with like colours. Tumble dry in low heat or air dry to avoid shrinking.
Hand-thrown tea bowl suitable for matcha, hojicha or your choice of hot beverages. Made from flecked clay and minimalistic in design, this tea bowl is perfect as both a functional and decorative piece. There are three colour combinations - matte sand, matte white and shiny black exterior with shiny ash interior - with more options available upon request.
+ Handmade in East London by Vessel of Light founder Natcha Kucita, this vase has a lead time of four to six weeks for production.
+ Currently shipping to UK only.
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Year: 2021
Size: 12cm in diameter, 6.5cm high
Weight: 500g
Materials: flecked stoneware, ceramics, food safe glazes
DETAIL AND CARE
Each piece is handmade and may differ in glaze finishing and colours. Hand washing recommended.
Vessel of Light incense holder crafted from black Vulcan clay, hand thrown on the potter’s wheel and lightly glazed in satin cream. The muted palette invites you to unwind and slow down. Perfect for your everyday incense burning.
+ Handmade in East London by Vessel of Light founder Natcha Kucita, this incense holder is made to order.
+ Currently shipping to UK only.
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Year: 2021
Size: Approx. 11cm in diameter
Materials: Black Vulcan Clay
DETAIL AND CARE
Each piece is handmade and may differ in glaze finishing and colours. Hand washing recommended.
WINTER HYGGE
Cosy comforts. This time of year, we naturally gravitate towards objects of comfort. This collection is dedicated to the Danish concept of hygge, the warm and fuzzy feeling of cosy contentment. Inadvertently or not, these artworks exude warmth, whether by light, beverage, games or candlestick.
This collection includes designs by Mara Lookabaugh, Pete Davies, Poivy, Rory Noble-Turner and the Vessel of Light.