We are seduced by the poetic beauty of Silvan Studio’s Shadow Bowls. The marks made in the bowl’s dip appear carefully gouged by hand, but are in fact CNC-carved, subverting the proclivity of the machine to behave like a hand. The fumed oak and fumed brass bowls are handsome companions for a sill or mantel.

In Silvan’s words: “Our workshop offcuts of Scottish oak were CNC-carved and 'fumed' in ammonia gas to produce a dark colour in the wood through the natural reaction to the ammonia. The brass candle holders were also made in-house and fumed along with the oak to create a natural patina.”

What is your favourite aspect of Scottish winter?

“Among many details of daily life in a Scottish winter, for both us the clarity of the light from its sheer angle in the sky, especially on a clear crisp and still day, is hard to beat.”

Height 2cm, diameter 13.1cm