Mangiafuoco

Overview

Mangiafuoco, or Fire-eater, is a project by the design duo Zanellato/Bortotto for Moroso. A plain copper object coated with vitreous powders acquires an unexpected splendour and startling colours once fired at high temperature, and the metal stays intact. The two round coffee tables carry a broad enamelled surface with unpredictable shades, and every piece is unique.

Construction

Each top is handcrafted from a sheet of copper alloy. Layers of glass powders and metal oxides are deposited on it and fired, in at least four firings at 850 °C. A solid wood sub-top supports the top and matches the wood of the cylindrical base, which is in oak or Canaletto walnut and has steel at its base for stability. Visible roughness can result from the handcrafting.

Specifications

• Top: round, enamelled copper alloy, handcrafted
• Top versions: 6 enamel versions
• Sub-top: solid wood
• Base: cylinder in oak or Canaletto walnut
• Stability: steel at the base

Fire-eater

Zanellato/Bortotto call the project Mangiafuoco, or Fire-eater. In it, an ordinary copper object coated with vitreous powders takes on startling colours in the heat while the metal is left intact. The outcome is a series of unique pieces, imperfect and for that reason, in Moroso's words, seductively exciting and attractive.

Enamelling by fire

The enamel is a mixture of glass powders and metal oxides, hand-sifted onto the copper before the top goes into a kiln at 850 °C. The oxides react differently for each colour, and the colours are applied in sequence with firing cycles tailored to the enamels. Strict observance of the kiln time shapes the unpredictable shades across each top.