“Horas non numero nisi serenas” – “I don’t count the hours unless they’re pleasant ones.”
Meridiane means “sundials” in Italian and is also the name of the new collection of home accessories from LATOxLATO, the design studio founded by Virginia Valentini and Francesco Breganze de Capnist. This 100% Italian-made design celebrates the art and architecture of the Bel Paese through accessories, furnishings, and design objects.
The collection is inspired by the sundials that decorate the façades of numerous Italian palaces and villas. The sundial, a truly ancient instrument, measures the passage of time by way of the shadow cast by a tall central pin (the gnomon) on a painted horizontal or vertical surface.
Now, Virginia Valentini’s and Francesco Breganze de Capnist’s catalogue of tributes to classical and Renaissance Italian architecture has an impressive new entry: the Meridiane.
The metaphysical echoes of their earlier collections of vases and candelabras here return decisively in the decoration of these new pieces, becoming their defining characteristic. Here, the shadows are not projected but are an indelible design on the white ceramic surface of the objects. Along with the volumes and geometric lines borrowed from architectural forms, they further emphasize the unique and precious character of each piece.
Shadows as decoration, decoration as shadow
Shadows and architectural forms. These are the key elements of LATOxLATO’s new Meridiane collection. Architectural forms and linear volumes come together to tell a story, brought to life by the superb handiwork and skill of the finest Italian master artisans: major collaborations that underline the uniqueness of LATOxLATO’s work, in particular the two designers’ dedication to their research and their deep and powerful bond with their homeland.
The materials used are the other star of the show. White, tactile ceramic recalls the classic Italian tradition of glazed majolica pottery and creates an ideal base for the play of shadows that characterizes the collection. Precious metals are used to accent the vertical elements – the gnomons – that “cast” the illusory, decorative shadows.
The juxtaposition of geometric lines and rich detailing makes this a collection that goes with everything. Perfect for contemporary environments or more classic interiors, Meridiane is for anyone in search of a decorative piece that is original and authentically Italian.
Four design accessories for four moments of the day
The Meridiane collection includes four pieces:
- The Round Tray 06:45
Photo credit: Giacomo Maestri
- The Bowl 12:30
Photo credit: Giacomo Maestri
- The Rectangular Tray 19:00
Photo credit: Giacomo Maestri
- The Box 22:15
Photo credit: Giacomo Maestri
Four pieces designed to mark the hours of the day like a sundial, from dawn to dusk. As a bonus, LATOxLATO’s Meridiane collection seems to borrow a Latin motto from a sundial found on a street in Rome: “Horas non numero nisi serenas“, which means “I don’t count the hours unless they’re pleasant ones.”
Source: v2com newswire
