Reviving Greek Beauty: The B Fora Vase

Nicolau dos Santos Merges Ancient Aesthetics with Modern Design

The B Fora vase is not just a decorative piece, but a statement about beauty standards. Inspired by the Greek conception of body perfection, dos Santos has reimagined the classic amphora to fit modern home interiors. This new design offers a 'B side' to the amphora, showcasing the graceful silhouette of the contemporary female body. The vase's curvy lines and straight handles have been meticulously designed to maintain balance once extracted from the mold, and a waterproof coating allows it to contain liquids.

The B Fora vase is the product of traditional pottery techniques and careful handwork. Render images and technical drawings were brought to life in the atelier of Italian master ceramist Michele Puzzo. The vase was carved on a plaster cylinder using a traditional pottery lathe, and the feminine curves were sculpted by hand. The vases were produced using the slipcasting technique, and to ensure their safety during shipping, each vase is nestled in a foam layer carved into the shape of the vase inside the packaging.

The B Fora vase is more than just a functional object; it's an interaction piece. It can be used to serve beverages, contain flowers, or simply as a decorative item. Each vase comes with a sticky hand toy, encouraging owners to 'spank' the vase when it 'deserves' it, adding a playful element to the design.

The design process, which took place in Milan, Italy, began in March 2019 and lasted almost a year. The project started with a personal study on ancient Greek art, followed by three months of working on the shapes. The prototyping phase started in June and took another three months to perfect the shapes. From September till December, 70 vases were produced, along with the packaging and related gadgets.

The B Fora vase is a testament to the enduring allure of the female form. It draws on historical, psychological, and alchemical associations of vases with femininity and life-giving properties. The design faced challenges in balancing aesthetics with the practicalities of production, particularly during the drying phase after the vase was removed from the mold. However, these challenges were overcome through careful design adjustments.

For its innovative design and technical excellence, the B Fora vase was awarded Silver in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2021. This prestigious accolade is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, creativity, and innovation. The B Fora vase, with its blend of ancient aesthetics and modern design, certainly fits the bill.