Max Lamb is a process driven designer known for creating beautifully crafted pieces that have materials and traditional processes at their core. Acting at the designer and model maker, Max carved a solid block of plaster using a hammer and chisel, carefully calculating the size and shrinkage amount. A three-part hollow mould is created from the carved plaster form allowing multiple vases to be slip-cast in fine bone china or black earthenware for Black Vase 1 & 2. With all stages of the process being done by hand, the size of the kiln and the immense stress the fine bone china undergoes during firing, size plays a critical factor. Big Vase challenges the strength of the potters, the physical properties of the clay, and the technical capabilities of the pottery.
The process of
Big Vase 1 & 2
with Max Lamb
Meet the Designer
Designer
Max Lamb
London-based Max Lamb was born in Cornwall, England, an upbringing that imbued him with a love of nature and a creative spirit which have manifested in his practice as designer and maker. He graduated from the Royal College of Art, London in 2006, was named Designer of the Future at Design Miami/Basel in 2008 and continues to both produce and exhibit his work internationally.
Max is known for creating beautifully crafted pieces that have materials and traditional processes at their core. He looks to design products that stimulate dialogue between maker, product and user through a visual simplicity that effectively communicates the obvious.
Crockery, a collection of fine bone china tableware cast from moulds carved by Lamb, is testament to his maxim to use materials honestly and processes transparently, to give both their own voice rather than impose his aesthetic.