Gallery: THE OVA LUMINAIRE BY ITEM

Don’t you just love it when aesthetics demand an ecological solution? Such is the case with the Ova Luminaire from UK design firm, Item. Inspired by the remains of sea life found on the beach, these lovely lighting fixtures use bone china and LED lights to create a serene, ethereal effect.

The designer marveled at how beach relics had “been softened by the sea and had little resemblance to their original form, but became unique, delicate shapes that had a mystery to them.” With the Ova, she attempted to marry this with the quality of light one sees when looking at the sky through water.

An LED light was the solution. Cast bone china varies in thickness, so the piercing light of LEDs was the only option for amply illuminating the translucent portions while remaining compact enough to fit into the orbs. The energy saving benefits are significant. The loom of 21 LEDs is powered by a transformer in the ceiling rose, and uses less energy than a single 25W tungsten bulb.

The Item studio is located in England near the birthplace of bone china – a good thing since casting this challenging material requires a great deal of skill. As studio partner Mark Welsh says, the local makers “expect us to be trouble whenever we call.” But they certainly seem to be rising to the challenge. Each Ova has a unique, unearthly glow that speaks of generations of handcrafting and technique.

To order an Ova Luminaire or to request further information, please contact Mark Welsh: sales@itemhome.co.uk. Prices start at 535 GBP. Trade discounts are available.