Sponge Vase by Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders
Sponge Vase, 1997

A part of the Droog Collection designed specifically for the German porcelain factory Rosenthal in 1997.

Inspired by the natural form of a sponge, Marcel Wanders developed a unique method for creating porcelain using moulds. Firstly, a sponge is dipped into liquid porcelain clay. Once dried, the porcelain-coated sponge is fired in a standard ceramic kiln. The sponge burns away during firing, leaving behind a precise, intricate replica of its delicate texture. This innovative technique allowed Wanders to create a series of forms that are both mass-producible and unique.

The Sponge Vase is a part of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, collections.