Coupes

Designer : Ronan Bouroullec

Bouroullec’s approach reveals itself in the subtle tension between softness and structure. The bowls appear effortless, yet their geometry is carefully resolved, allowing light to glide across the surface and emphasise the material’s natural depth. Rather than decorative excess, the design relies on proportion and clarity, creating an object that feels both familiar and newly distilled.

A defining gesture of the design is the absence of a flat base. Instead, each bowl is shaped as a continuous, perfect curve. This subtle but radical decision allows the object to naturally find its equilibrium, always presenting itself in a balanced, level position. The form appears almost in motion, yet it remains inherently stable—an elegant reconciliation of geometry and gravity.

The weight of the marble anchors the object, giving it a sense of permanence, while the delicately shaped rim introduces a surprising lightness. Coupes asks the craftsman to achieve precision at the edge, where the transition between thickness and thinness must be exact. The result is a series of three bowls (small, medium, and large) that elevate a fundamental form into something contemplative: an object that holds not only what is placed within it, but also an awareness of material, gesture, and time. In line with Matera’s philosophy, the bowls embody a dialogue between design and making, where the enduring presence of marble is shaped into a form of understated elegance.


Materials : Versilys - Honed
Dimensions : Small  5 × 20 × 11 cm / 1.97 × 7.87 × 4.33 in