Time And Eternity

Founder of luxe homeware brand Eaglador, Edward Oldham explains why bronze accents and accessories in the home, strike the perfect balance between ancient and modern.

Bronze is a material as old as civilization itself. Boasting a rich and fabled history in elevating home design and build across the centuries, the Bronze Age lasted for almost two thousand years, dominating the ancient world and leaving a lasting legacy of innovative, progressive design techniques.

Of late however, the timeless appeal of bronze has been overlooked in favour of gold, silver, porcelain and glass, although it seems, that trend is now markedly shifting; its earthy tones and robust properties, making it a versatile and hardy material to work with. “An alloy of copper and tin, bronze is extremely durable, antimicrobial, and resists corrosion,” explains Edward, “which is why contemporary interior designers and architects are championing its return to home design via elegant architectural elements.”

A more expensive material for casting, compared to alloys such as steel, bronze is a far easier metal to work with due to its lower melting point (1000 Celsius) and shrinkage rate which requires consideration during mould design. Edward adds: “Casting makes it possible to explore sculptural elements, asymmetrical shapes, and fluid contours that may not be achievable with other manufacturing methods, making it an interesting option for luxury tableware and homeware design.”

Tapping into this rich history and enduring sense of materiality, Eaglador has crafted a collection of bronzeware for the home and table that elevates bronze as the material for modern living. The London-based studio has created a bronze tableware collection that offers a unique and elegant option for those who appreciate the beauty and durability of this warm, metallic alloy. From intricately detailed candle holders with a deep, rich patina to carefully crafted nut bowls and handsome champagne buckets, it’s a weighty bronzeware collection that will bring warmth and gravitas to any home.

Each solid, handmade piece is cast using the ancient lost wax technique, a method of metal casting in which molten bronze is poured into a mould that has been created by a handcrafted wax model. The process is slow and deliberate, producing high quality pieces that will last down the generations.

The collection is characterised by the juxtaposition of highly polished elements and a deep, rich patina. Oldham says he is inspired by the contrast: “We like rough surfaces set against highly polished molten ones. Dark versus light. Ancient and modern. Extreme contrasts and visually appealing, weighty objects that hold gravitas. What also captures us is how objects crafted out of the chaos of fire and furnace can be polished into beautiful, desirable objects that eventually find their place in some of the most beautiful homes in the world.”

Eaglador also offers striking bronze-handled flatware. The classic, sophisticated design is extremely versatile, contrasting clean sculptural shapes with organic textural details that that could only be achieved through the studio’s highly specialised casting process. The textured element takes its inspiration from a morel mushroom and contrasts beautifully against a polished rigid spine, which lends an almost aerodynamic element.

The set is crafted by skilled artisans to exacting standards. The centre of each piece is painstakingly drilled to ensure an even hand to blade ratio, ensuring the utensils are neither too light nor too heavy. From an aesthetic standpoint, the collection is extremely versatile, with the pieces looking equally at home in a clean, modern setting or mixed in with a more traditional aesthetic.

Looking to the future, Eaglador is currently working on a bronze cookware collection and believes it to be an interesting option compared for instance to cast iron. Oldham says: “It is more conductive, lighter and in our opinion, has a better aesthetic.”

Overall, bronze casting opens-up a world of possibilities for creating new and interesting designs in tableware and homeware. Edward concludes: “By leveraging the inherent qualities of bronze, its history and pushing the boundaries of creativity, we can create beautifully crafted pieces that not only have longevity, but also capture the imagination.”