Metal work forms the basis of many of our furniture collections from storage and shelving to loungers and dining tables. Its unique properties combine elements of flexibility with strength and endurance. It is a craft that produces pieces that will stand the test of time.
Metal is a form of artistry and it can take on many forms whether using iron, brass or aluminium, each material ultimately relies on the skill of the artisan who shapes it. The process is a traditional one, that has remained unchanged for centuries. The metal first needs to be hot and using a forge the metal worker will heat the material until it glows red, then yellow - orange and finally white. It is when the material is yellow - orange that the craftsperson can shape the metal using hammers and chisels. The metal is heated using a forge, the word forging describes the process when the artisan is hammering the metal into shape, it can then be welded together following the design, and finally it is finished by hand which involves polishing or treating with a varnish or wax.
The metal artisans who create our Nkuku collections work in large open units, to cater for their need to use forges to heat the metal. Their adept skill at shaping and moulding the metal into striking furniture pieces, is made to look easy. They instinctively seem to know when to turn and shape the metal.
