Collection: Serafino

Andries Van Onck and Hiroko Takeda with Serafino have transformed simple cutlery into objects with an exclusive shape, the perfect choice for an important gift. Like the salad pair which recalls the shape of the Ginko Biloba leaf, a symbolic plant in oriental culture, which our designers took inspiration from for the entire Serafino series. In the fish pair the knife recalls the Samurai axe, completed by the particular three-pronged fork.

The study for the creation of this series of cutlery was based on a harmonious morphological evolution very similar to that of nature. There is the same difference between a teaspoon and a spoon as there is between a bud and a rose. The shape of the teaspoon "blossoms" into that of the spoon.

Serafino is not just design; underlining the Serafino Zani philosophy, it combines technological commitment with aesthetic standards. In fact, the two designers worked synergistically with the company's internal technicians. The former bringing inspiration in shape and proportions, the latter making the material ductile and ergonomic.

Serafino Zani offers cutlery for all ways and styles of enjoying the table. All series are suitable for both everyday use and the elegant table of special occasions: they include both individual place settings (including specialized cutlery and various sizes of teaspoons) and the serving series. The cutlery maintains the design and production quality typical of all Serafino Zani products: they are perfectly balanced and pleasant to the touch, built with very thick 18/10 quality stainless steel, perfectly polished and finished by hand.

Andries Van Onck, a designer of Dutch origin who has lived in Milan since 1959 and founded his studio in 1965, and Hiroko Takeda, of Japanese origin in Milan since 1972, form a couple in life and work that combines a profound knowledge of design (from the Ulm school to the collaborations with Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti) to an international vision. This cutlery set is a project by Hiroko Takeda in which oriental culture emerges in the search for shapes inspired by geisha combs and ginko biloba leaves. The fish knife resembles the samurai ax and the shape of the spoons simulates the growth of plants, from the smallest, the bud, to the ladle, the mature home of the flower when it blooms.

Serafino cutlery has a thickness of 4 mm; this thickness is generally printed flat, but is not pleasant to the touch. We therefore tried to find an all-round solution. The knife, perhaps the most critical piece in the creation of cutlery, is extremely elegant and clean; the empty handle is joined without any trace of mechanical processing.