UNIQUE: MY FAVOURITE PIECE The fruits of friendship cannot be contained in a bowl. But Josef Knipfer is content to admire the fruit basket without its contents. From the series ‘My Favourite Piece’, the head of the turning shop presents a very special object that is only made on request. The fruit basket consists of two parts and, above all, artistic gaps: 412 cut-outs at the top and 128 at the base make it a filigree work of art. ‘A real masterpiece,’ enthuses the 64-year-old, who has been working at the porcelain factory since 1976. More than a dozen apprentices have learned not only the craft and art of omission from him, but also lessons for life. "Patience and perseverance are essential. You mustn't lose heart when something doesn't work out." It takes at least ten years to learn how to use the knife correctly for this special design, cutting the countless shell, stick and orthogonal shapes into the damp porcelain. Just drawing 540 simple pencil squares is enough to test the patience of most people. After almost 50 years in the factory, Josef has developed something akin to friendship with the sensitive material that is porcelain. During this time, the Munich native has shaped 250,000 plates with his hands alone; however, he has only worked on his favourite piece once. Some things are simply unique – this applies to fruit baskets as well as friendships. |
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CENTERPIECES Singular happiness and shared joy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement each other perfectly, because only those who sit together in a large group know how to appreciate quiet moments. A table with old acquaintances and new faces gladdens the heart – and the preparations do not necessarily require a kitchen brigade, nor does the decoration require florist training. We have set up the long table from Copenhagen's ‘3DaysofDesign’ in our Munich flagship store as inspiration for everyone staying at home: tiles can be used as place plates, and different decorations can be mixed and matched. Stack vegetables and fruit to create centerpieces. Grapes or cocktail tomatoes, threaded onto floral wire, can be bent into edible sculptures. Artichokes, bottle gourds and finger lemons are eye-catchers in their own right. When pure white porcelain figures are scattered throughout the arrangement, lively conversations flow naturally. Despite the stormy weather and holiday preparations, why not invite the special people with whom you can share everything this weekend? |
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PORZELLAN MANUFAKTUR NYMPHENBURG NÖRDLICHES SCHLOSSRONDELL 8, 80638 MUNICH, GERMANY |
© 2025Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg
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