Handmade in Melbourne, Robert Gordon has been creating with clay since 1945 and, if one word comes to mind when viewing and handling their objects for the home, it’s probably craftsmanship. Aesthetics perhaps comes a close second, while the objects are also decidedly functional and often versatile.
“Our brother Bobby Gordon trained as an architect, and brings his knowledge of this industry into the development of each basin and pendant. Each shape in our interiors collections is a true piece of craftsmanship,” explain the team at Robert Gordon.
New arrivals this year include a series of handcrafted, ceramic lamps. The Nest lamp combines modern design sensibilities with an industrial edge, perfectly suited for homes, hotels, restaurants and venues. Available in eight different finishes including Shale, Olive and Bone, it’s an object that achieves a beautiful sense of weight as well as its gentle curvaceousness. The lamp produces a warm, atmospheric glow further enriched by the hand-glazed finish.
The Periwinkle lamp is an exercise in clay formation, function and materiality. Indeed, some its material is sourced from trimmings and scrap clay created during the production process, which is then remixed and recast to pour into the moulds. Cast in stoneware clay, the Periwinkle is manufactured in small batches, with variations in glaze occurring from piece to piece. It captures light beneath a draped shade, directing it softly downwards to celebrate the unique nature of a reactive glaze.
Moving into pendant lighting, the new Tapa piece features two distinctive cast forms to create a unique hat structure for both support and shade. While using unglazed clay, it recalls sophisticated industrial lighting too. Tapa is available in Bone and Stone for a muted, neutral aesthetic.
The materials used at Robert Gordon, meanwhile, are sourced using local clay mined in New South Wales, while every cast basin, light and wall hook is made from recycled scrap clay which we process into slip. Those other objects are full of deliciously refined options, some more minimalist and others more expressive in their curves and playful forms. All of Robert Gordon’s lights and basins are designed and made on-site at the Melbourne workshop, while rainwater is harvested and used throughout their production process – from mixing clay to sponging and trimming, even for cleaning workstations at the end of the day.
With a team on-site in Australia ensuring a genuine hands-on connection for these crafted objects, they are certain to evoke a warm response in multiple settings including a sumptuously textural home.
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