For hundreds of thousands of years, sharing meals has been central to human development. Called commensality, it is an act that brings together both strangers and relatives. Although the hearth-centred meals from 30,000 years ago may be less lavish, they bear many of the same structural hallmarks as the modern human meal. Through vessels for food and drink, utensils and a central light source, this project examines the value of ritual; by encouraging families to make time each day with one another over a meal, strengthening interpersonal and familial relationships.

Objects afford meal sharing, which in turn facilitates conversation, and addresses our social and biological needs as they co-construct daily rituals.Through the application of object design principles, the daily ritual of meal sharing is compartmentalised to investigate the role played by different objects involved in a commensal experience, and the effect they have on diners. Material Historiography employs a reflective process of ‘thinking through making’ to bridge the gap between the theoretical and material, towards a qualitative material understanding that results in thoughtful objects. 

THE DETAILS

Year of design: 2015

Materials: Southern Ice Porcelain, Clear Glaze

Specifications: Dishwasher Safe 

Dimensions: The tableware pieces range between 18-25cms in diameter. Measurements vary to a degree as the ceramic shrinkage cannot be controlled and each piece is handmade.