Ralph Pucci’s in-house presentation unfolds an artistic tapestry with ‘Primal Mysteries’

Post a decade of meticulous craftsmanship and ideation, the New York -based luxury furniture and lighting company Ralph Pucci unveils its first standalone in-house collection of tables and lighting designs which will be on display at their New York gallery from February 8, 2024. The collection titled Primal Mysteries comprises 15 pieces that reveal the artisanal talents and capabilities of the studio and its team of artisans.

Primal Mysteries pays homage to the eternal artistic expressions woven into the fabric of various cultures, celebrating the ongoing heritage of the studio's revered craftsmen who take inspiration from painters, artists and sculptors like Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti, Romanian sculptor and painter Constantin Brâncuși, Spanish artist and sculptor Joan Miro, Swiss-German artist Paul Klee, Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, German painter and graphic artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The pieces in the collection also draw their inspirations further back to the artistic manifestations that have been a part of many civilisations from the beginning of humankind.

“We are delighted to be presenting the first collection in over a decade conceived and created by our in-house (sculpture studio). Primal Mysteries is a coming together of many of the inspirations and ideas that have influenced us over the years, beautifully executed by our resident Master Sculptor and team of skilled artisans. Each piece feels like it was dug from the earth, the right antidote to our high-tech, AI world, with its slick, glossy and glass architecture in need of humanity. A home needs something earthy and with soul,” shares Ralph Pucci.

The movements, artists, concepts, and ideas have inspired the studio for many years, even during the early years when it was producing mannequins. A common thread unites all the designs in the collection, which features handcrafted pieces that evoke an earthy, elemental character and serve as an escape from the digital world.

The lighting and table designs ranging from coffee tables and console tables in the collection are crafted using plaster glass. The collection’s earthy quality comes from a variety of additional materials, including terracotta, mosaic, bronze and stone. The plaster glass developed in the studio is what lends the raw appearance to the pieces while making them durable enough for both indoor and outdoor use. Handwork in clay and plaster, casting, and hand finishing are all part of the production process, which results in a sandblasted look. Certain pieces are moulded in plaster to achieve the appropriate texture and finishes. This plasterwork allows for even more texture once cast, revealing a feeling of being excavated, and is more closely linked to some of the artists that have inspired the collection than modern manufacture.

Primal Mysteries explores the rich history of the studio while paying homage to the enduring impact of renowned artists and sculptors. Ralph Pucci's vision becomes a reality in this collection, which infuses homes with a touch of ardent craftsmanship while providing a break from the sleekness of the high-tech, Artificial intelligence-driven world. The collection honours artistic heritage while bridging the gap between traditional workmanship and modern design with its sandblasted surface and texture inspired by excavations, resulting in a tasteful fusion of the old and the new.