patricia urquiola draws from japanese culture for 'edo', a new cookware series for alessi

patricia urquiola has combined influences from japanese culture, latin antiquity, and her basque roots in edo, a new cookware collection for alessi. each of the 16 pieces differs from each other in either type, size, or material, intended not only as containers for cooking, but as expressions of the social and cultural value of food.

images courtesy of alessi

the collection’s name derives from edere, the latin word for ‘eat’, but it is also the ancient name of the city of tokyo, demonstrating the intersection of different references. ‘this project is my response to the changes I observe in society,’ notes urquiola, ‘to the multiplication of fantastic exchanges between different cultures.’

the contemporary forms in edo combine alessi‘s stainless steel with unusual details such as burnished handles similar to ribbons pinned to the body of the pots, a flare at the top of the containers, and lid knobs that draw from the shape of the typical headgear of the basque country. the collection includes pieces that cater to different cooking needs: a pot, a two-handle saucepan, a low saucepan, a long handle saucepan and 18/10 stainless steel saucepan polished outside and satin inside, a wok in trilamina, a long handle pan and high thick aluminum pan, and a steak pan.