mêlé | Spoon (Nickel silver)

The motif is the author's memories with his daughter.

I combined my favorite elements: light, painting, and science, and shaped them into brush-like forms.
The handle is designed with straight lines like shining light and in the shape of a crystal or droplet, capturing memories with my daughter.

In jewelry terminology, small diamonds that surround the main gemstone are called melee diamonds.
I hope that the memories and the cutlery that embodies them will become a small gem that colors my daughter's life, and that it will enhance the protagonist, my daughter.

A work by cutlery artist Hiroshi Kashihara.

Kashiwara Hiro's cutlery has a unique surface finish that gives it an antique, classic look, as if it has been used for a long time.

The contrast between the original brass and the soft golden color that gradually appears with each use adds a shabby chic impression to the table.

The appeal of the material "Nickel silver" 

Nickel silver is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, characterized by its unique, soft color.

Also known as German silver, nickel silver, or "洋白銀" (yōhaku-gin), it was widely used in Europe as an alternative to pure silver tableware, with silver-plated German silver tableware being common.

It is said that it originated as a substitute during a time when pure silver was scarce, and it became the catalyst for the widespread adoption of silverware, which had previously been the exclusive domain of the aristocracy, among the upper class.

In Hiro Kashiwaba's works, he doesn't apply silver plating, but instead focuses on the natural color and aging of the silver itself.

Because an oxide film easily forms on the surface, the texture will gradually change as you use it day after day.

One of the charms of these products is that the texture varies depending on how often you use them, how you wash them, how you store them, and the individual environment of each user.

Please enjoy aging in your own way.

About maintenance

Nickel silver is a metal that is weak against moisture and acid, and its surface color changes easily.

To prevent food and moisture from sticking to the dishes, please rinse them immediately after use. Please be especially careful when using this product with foods that discolor metals, such as citrus fruits, foods with strong acidity, or black tea.

Also, to dry quickly, stand it upright to dry, or wipe off the moisture with a cloth (soft cloth) and store it.

Each piece is handmade by the artist.
Please note that the texture, color, shape, and size of the actual product may differ from the photograph. Please enjoy each piece as its unique individual character.