Years ago, in Art History class, I remember learning that carving a veil out of marble—i.e. creating the illusion of lightness from stone—the ultimate challenge in ancient sculpture. I can't imagine it's gotten any easier over the years, and it so happens that designer Gonçalo Campos notes that it's at least as difficult, from a technical standpoint, to achieve the soft effect of drapery in porcelain. Thankfully, he was able to develop a process to cast molds from fabric with the help of Vista Alegre, a Portuguese Porcelain and Crystal company. He cites the veil as the inspiration for his latest project, "Tecido" platters:Usually a modest item used to create anticipation and draw attention to whatever it conceals, and now it becomes an object in its own right. Affirmed by its own elegant and delicate shape, in a simple, yet impressive arrangement, it becomes a functional product that can be used daily, as much as in special occasions. This is a product to inspire each one of us to appreciate the simple things in life and see the beauty in all the details that go unappreciated, such as the gentle shapes in a veil.

Where Rogier Martens' fruit bowls took their form from their contents, Campos' wares obliquely refer to still life compositions, especially when augmented by line drawings of potential delicacies.

In any case, the results are quite delightful, evoking the way a tablecloth might resemble craters on the moon.

Regarding the production process, Campos has posted a few photos on his Facebook page—I can't help but think that the molds would make interesting vessels as well...

Campos noted that the Vista Alegre engineers predicted that this first attempt would break in the kiln...