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Quirky Lamps Your Cup of Tea? "Nata" vs "Pagoda"

By Ray Hu - August 18, 2011

in Lighting

We've seen drinking vessels re/upcycled into lighting before, but I'm amazed that the simple idea (or brief) to "turn a teacup into a lamp" can yield two wildly disparate results, as in these two recent designs. (Perhaps it is only fitting that one is a glazed white ceramic and the other is a strange yet organic matte black.)

First up is a lamp by Portuguese designer Gonçalo Campos, who creates minimal yet whimsical housewares "in a process that starts from inside of the object towards the outside." I was quite taken with his latest design, the "Nata" lamp, a tabletop ambient light that resembles a tipped teacup (a third handle serves to prop it up).

A ceramic lamp, with gentle curves and a classical look, borrowed from the shapes of table top ceramic wear. It is actually made from a rehabilitated mold, only rearranged... The result is this gentle and familiar shape, that only with slight changes now serves a whole new purpose.

The name "Nata" means "cream" in Campos' native tongue, obviously referring to the lamp's original purpose and its color while obliquely describing certain formal elements as well, i.e. the handles and the scalloped base, which evoke "Nata's" namesake.

Lucrecia Moribunda's "Pagoda" is rather less metaphorical in name, focusing instead on a grandiloquent statement:Again utilizing modern ceramic dishes from the depths of the cupboard, I have fashioned a grandiose, ever extending, seven tiered floor lamp profusely immersed in suede floral at every juncture; the piece intrepidly stretches upward bearing similitude to some decorative tower residing in the the Englischer Garten jostling for the most advantageous altitude. Each tier boasts a right side up cup and saucer pairing while the base coupling projects a more contrasting point of view, the bottom being inverted and "closed" as the top re-establishes congruence proceeding upward in stringent allegiance, "opened."

Of course, the serialized form—which also vaguely resembles a spinal column—speaks for itself: at first glance, I thought the exterior was slathered in rough bronze scales. Alternately, "Pagoda" looks as though it has been thoroughly charred and its skin might eventually flake off to reveal its true form beneath. The ultimate effect, for me, is decay... which is not to say that the lamp isn't beautiful.

(Alas, Lucrecia Moribunda—a pseudonym, obviously—doesn't seem to have a website or online portfolio... any readers happen to have any additional details?)

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Petra Dimitrova

12 years ago

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In my own mind the Pagoda is the most pretty, it has such a nice shape and much personality; it seems to be from another planet or something it looks so odd... Thanks core 77!
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Vigo Klaesson

12 years ago

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The Pagoda lamp is by far the most inspired and gorgeous lamp I've ever seen; this is a shining example of PURE DECORATIVE ART.

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Luciano Lucientes Llagostera

13 years ago

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Ok firstly, both of these lamps are very appealing in totally different ways; the Nata is soft and sensitive almost to precious to be touched while on the other hand the Pagoda appears ''imposing'' and sort of standoffish, like its too beautiful to even be admired lol. But if I had to choose a piece for my home I would have to pick the Nata because its seems more fitting for home interiors, like it would'nt upstage other pieces in the homes; I can't say that about the pagoda, its size and its various textures would make it stand out like a sore thumb, that is unless you had other ''musuem'' quality pieces in your home. So what I'm trying to say is, the Nata wins as far as minimalists interiors go but the Pagoda wins if your home is more grandiose and ostentatious. Great article thanks core 77.

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Connor Bannon

13 years ago

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The nata's clean lines are refreshing but the pagoda kind of throws me off, it looks so strange...
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Jan Vandermerlen

13 years ago

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I'm hearing lots about this designer but I can't seem to find a website; very elegant and resourceful lamp.
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Vanessa Vassi

13 years ago

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Woooow.... The pagoda lamp is my fav, I just love its sort of ''impending doom'' feeling; its just flat out gorgeous!
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Pietro Lucarelli

13 years ago

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the pagoda lamp is very elegant and the nata is more subdued.
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Paul Wasserman

13 years ago

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I'm going with the Nata, I just happen to connect more with its clean lines; but the pagoda is very pretty.
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Dorian Hunter

13 years ago

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The Nata is more precise but the Pagoda is more artistic. Thats all.
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Gloria De'mateo

13 years ago

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Yep, the pagoda is very beautiful.
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Alexa Valez

13 years ago

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The pagoda so attractive and it really feels unique; I can't say that about the Nata due to the fact that I've seen other works in this same fashion. Lucrecia's seems to convey a message of true art and passion.
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Melissa Cantabria

13 years ago

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For me, the Nata wins, it has cleaner lines and thats what I like about design, crisp and classic; but the pagoda obviously has its good points too, its statuesque and very original (even though there have been many lighting fixtures made from dishes/cups). What I admire most about the pagoda is perhaps its shade, brillaint way to mix the modern dishes with something vintage; also, the Lucrecia's piece has a very intriguing texture. Great work and thought from both designers!
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Ruth Zimmerman

13 years ago

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OK, this lamp is astonishing, long, lean, and so magical looking; I just cannot believe the materials that were used in its creation, just plain ole ceremic dishes. Wow, breathtaking design sense, I want more from Lucrecia!
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Livia Aronica

13 years ago

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I prefer the Nata, its modern while classic and looks very sophisticated; the pagoda on the other hand is... to...I don't know, it just looks like some kind of alien, haha lol. But yea obviously both are very appealing, in their own way of course. : )
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Roberta Casabianca

13 years ago

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Wow... what makes these works even more gorgeous is the fact they're so different, the pagoda is so elegantand ''imposing'' and the nata is so like serene.. glorious designs and looking foward to seeing more from both designers. Beautiful enough to cry. : * (
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Mirka Hamzic

13 years ago

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Both of these pieces are gorgeous! Very inspiring.
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Claudia Rastrelli

13 years ago

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Gonzalos' lamp is of better design I think while Lucrecias' seems sort of more romantic and gloomy.
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Christopher Giordano

13 years ago

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There is something so like... primitive about the pagoda, it looks so.. like...sad and like forlorn... but you know it just happens to beautiful....
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Frank le clerc

13 years ago

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I must say the pagoda is outstandingly pretty and of course Campos' design is very cool and sleek; Lucrecia's is just so tall, it appears more majestic. Great work from both designers.
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Dani Ramirez

13 years ago

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I pick the pagoda, I've seen other work by Lucrecia and its def a certain style.
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