Otaru Bronze-to-Black Ceramic Sculptural Vase

The Otaru vase is a rare object — one that carries centuries of craft tradition within a resolutely contemporary form. Designed by SUNs, winner of the Red Dot Award, and selected for the Innovation Competition at Maison&Objet 2022, it represents a new chapter in Chinese design: not made in China, but designed in China.

Its silhouette draws from the Song Dynasty, with delicate bronze-footed legs that ground the piece in history, while the overall form speaks a language of modern minimalism. The surface is where the true artistry lies: a mineral glaze made from natural ore, kiln-fired at 1360°C, transitions from a fading bronze at the base to a deep, lustrous black — a finish that took over a year of R&D with ceramic experts to perfect.

The clay body is high-grade Chinese stoneware, the same material used in traditional teapot making, chosen for its density, its tactile warmth, and its ability to withstand extreme firing temperatures. The result is a piece that feels as substantial as it looks — weighty, considered, and quietly commanding.

At 20 cm wide and 20 cm tall, the Otaru works beautifully as a standalone sculptural object on a console, shelf, or side table. It holds dried botanicals with equal elegance, or simply stands alone as a statement of craft and restraint.

Wipe clean with a dry or lightly damp cloth. Not suitable for fresh flowers or water.