For the second homeware collection, Ancient Greek Sandals decided to go a step further from their heritage – and finely crafted leather – and creatively meet other folk arts and traditional raw materials. The new AGS HOME collection for Summer 2023 embraces Ceramic Art, which remains alive in many parts of Greece from ancient times to the present, and travels to Lesbos, an island famous for its elaborate traditional ceramics.
Inspired by Greek hospitality and the image of an atmospheric setting for a relaxed summer dinner among friends, the collection focuses on tableware and harmoniously marries the folk element and ancient Greek references with modern functional design and bright colors. "When setting the table, I prefer to combine different colors and styles than a perfectly matching tableware", says the co-founder and creative director of AGS, Christina Martini. Based on the idea of an unpretentious art de la table dominated by mix 'n' match, the new collection is available in complete tableware as well as individual pieces, while it was created with the contribution of various potters, artisans, glassmakers, artists, wax makers, a dressmaker and an illustrator.
CERAMIC PLATES
The plates are hand-painted by Elpida Kourtzis – a regular collaborator of AGS since 2013 – who was inspired by her grandfather's characteristic designs and colors to create a renewed version. Exploring the rich archive of this family-owned pottery workshop, AGS focused on handcrafted details that make a difference and bring them to life perfectly in every item in the line. Each set consists of 4 plates, each including a presentation plate, a food plate, a dessert or salad plate and a bowl. Each tableware is decorated with a different color and pattern, the color palette follows the tones of blue, yellow, orange and green while the central theme, the "eye", refers to the lively ceramic creations of Nikos Kourtzis. The dishes are made on the red clay wheel, followed by the coating technique and baking at 980 degrees Celsius. Then they are painted one by one by hand by Elpida Kourtzis and re-baked at 1010 Celsius.
ANIMAL CARAFES
The animal carafes – the fish, the owl and the duck – were created in Lesvos by George Akamatou, a favorite student of Nikos Kourtzis. Their shapes are also inspired by the original carafes with animal motifs, while the pattern details have been simplified to match the tableware. The fish can also be used as a saucer, the owl is ideal for water and wine and the duck for tsipouro.
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WINE GLASSES
As accompaniments to the tableware and decanter, the wine glasses were created in collaboration with a local glassblower, which is why each glass stands out for its organic form and, above all, for the uniqueness of its handmade. Each set consists of two glasses in two different shades of the same color: blue, green, yellow and orange that match the color of the dishes.
TSIPOURO SET
Combining ancient Greek themes with AGS's trademark leather, the series consists of a carafe and two shot glasses made of white glazed clay and accompanied by leather cases with pyrographed fine ridges that refer to ancient columns. A special gift that comes in separate pieces and can even be used for ouzo, sake or espresso.
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THE WAVES SET (WATER SET)
The glass carafe with the cork lid and the water glasses are "hosted" in cut-out cases made of the characteristic vachetta leather of AGS printed with a wavy pattern reminiscent of the Aegean Sea.
THE CANDLES
Like small crude sculptures, the candlesticks depict ancient Greek columns in small and large sizes and in three different colors: terracotta, rotten apple and off-white. Ideal for a romantic candlelit dinner or to reduce light pollution while enjoying the garden or terrace.
TOWELS AND PLATES
The table setting is completed with linen placemats embroidered with the wave pattern and matching linen napkins with embroidered figures of Caryatids. A project completed in collaboration with illustrator Frances Costelloe, with whom AGS has collaborated before.
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