Description

Fiercely beautiful, this piece engages the eye in its intricate beauty, yet form follows material understanding, and nothing in its form suggests ‘frills or fancy’.  Use as an accessory on the table to fill with sweet or savoury delights or tuck in little ceramic bowls into the valleys and serve dips. A stylish accessory for the think-out-of-the-box hostess! The objects in this collection are part of Thinking Table, an ongoing series by Nisha Mathew Ghosh that reconsiders the familiar vocabulary of the home and hearth. Drawing from the forms and functions of everyday culinary tools or vessels, the series reflects on how domestic objects carry memory, labor, ritual, and care.

Product name :	FOURSOME
Designer :	Soumitro Ghosh
Collection :	THINKING TABLE.  A culinary series
Year of Design:	2016
Dimensions:	49 x 46.6 cm x height 11 cm
Material:	Steel wire food-grade
Time Taken to weave product:	90 man-days
Limited Edition of 1 piece.

THE STORY BEHIND THE OBJECT

FOURSOME

Thinking Table | Designed by Soumitro Ghosh | 2016

Foursome investigates the capacity of a woven surface to generate its own topography. Its undulating geometry produces a sequence of valleys, ridges and raised edges, creating a complex serving landscape rather than a conventional flat platter. Form emerges from the behavior and arrangement of the material, with the weave functioning simultaneously as surface, structure and ornament.

Designed by Soumitro Ghosh, the work reconsiders the familiar typology of the Indian serving platter the ‘Thali’ with its numerous ‘katoris’. Its sculptural surface accommodates sweet and savory offerings, while small ceramic bowls can be placed within the woven depressions. The relationship between the steel structure and the ceramic inserts introduces a second material system into the composition.

Ninety man-days of handweaving go into this single-edition work. The extended duration of making is directly related to the complexity of its geometry. Each change in level requires a careful negotiation of wire, tension and continuity. The resulting form depends upon a high degree of acquired technical knowledge.

The Stainless Steel Weaving Maker Studio provides the conditions for this specialized execution. The work brings together Soumitro Ghosh’s design authorship and the makers’ knowledge of the weaving process. These are distinct but interdependent contributions: the formal proposition is authored through design, while its physical resolution depends upon the judgement, dexterity and labor of the makers.

FAQs

Q1. What is Foursome?

Foursome is an intricately woven stainless steel table object designed by architect Soumitro Ghosh. Its sculptural form creates a series of valleys and undulations, transforming a serving accessory into an engaging tabletop composition.

Q2. Why is it called Foursome?

The design suggests multiple points of gathering and interaction. Its form invites different foods, small bowls and accompaniments to share one surface, making it particularly suited to convivial dining.

Q3. How can I use Foursome?

You can fill its woven valleys with sweet or savoury treats, or place small ceramic bowls within them to serve dips, chutneys and condiments. It is particularly effective as a centrepiece for entertaining.

Q4. Is Foursome a limited-edition object?

Yes. The published listing identifies it as a single edition of one piece. It is therefore a particularly distinctive acquisition for a collector of contemporary design.

Q5. How much craftsmanship goes into Foursome?

The published making time is 90 man-days. Its intricate woven surface is the result of sustained handwork and a highly developed understanding of the material.

Q6. Can I use Foursome with ceramic bowls?

Yes. The design description specifically suggests placing small ceramic bowls in its valleys. This creates an interesting interplay between the woven steel and the material and colour of the bowls.

Q7. How should I display Foursome when not in use?

It can be displayed on a dining table, console or large kitchen island. Its sculptural geometry makes it an object that can be appreciated even when it is not holding food.

Q8. What should I do if one of the caps on the object comes loose?

An additional cap of each type used on your object is supplied with the piece. If a cap becomes loose, use a toothpick to apply a small amount of Araldite (an industrial-strength adhesive suitable for bonding metal to metal) to the inside of the cap or the metal contact point. Carefully refit the cap and leave the object undisturbed until the adhesive has fully cured, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use the object until the cap is securely fixed.