As one of the oldest games, chess has enchanted generations of players for thousands of years. Said to be a concoction of multiple different games of the time, chaturanga (an Indian precursor) was said to have two essential features found in all later chess variations – different pieces having different powers, and victory depending on the fate of one piece, the king of modern chess. The rules changed throughout millennia due to societal shifts and popular beliefs, supposing the powers may shift again. From the mind of British-Iranian artist Sara Khamisi, co-founder and art director of Sandro Lopez Milano, Kish o Mat is the Persian term that inspired the word “checkmate,” celebrating the ancient game through Persian-inspired handmade ceramics.
Narrative is strong within the Kish o Mat collection, deriving meaning through the language of abstracted form. A black and white film, seen below, accompanies the collection, created in the French Nouvelle Vague style, a nod to filmmaking traditions of a bygone era. Two protagonists navigate a chess match, with ceramics at the center of the story.
The King vase is a fun example of abstraction, hand-built forms creating a three pointed motif of a crown. An extruded form, the distinct planes of the vessel capture light in fantastical ways, facets displaying separate tones. Traditional Matte White and Matt Black colorways are essential for the purists, of course, but a Pink version is available for those unafraid of branching out.
The Queen vase, available in the same colors as the King, gives nod to the elegance and power of the chess piece it’s named for, with a cylindrical shape intersected by a flat panel, resulting in a bold, geometric form.
The Pawn cuts a low profile, a simple yet elegant shape change disturbing the track of a traditional circle. Perfect for fruit, small items, or a squat candle, the Pawn heightens the look of any entryway or tablescape.
The Knight is represented by a stylized shape resembling the number four, strong planes soaring towards the sky. Resembling the path they take on the board, the Knight frames large blooms or branches with ease. Used in conjunction, and especially in different colors, a playful conversation emerges, bringing a fresh feeling to any surface.
The Bishop, available in Turquoise, Matte White, and Matte Black, cradles the plant life it contains. A circle divided, then translated, this motif pulls upon the movement of the Bishop, making its way across the board diagonally, in whichever way it chooses.
The Rook carries an angular form with a square base and intersecting planes, honoring the forward, backward, and sideways moves the Rook can make across the board.
Co-founder of Sandro Lopez Milano, Sara Khamisi specializes in art-inspired furnishings that bring a spark of life to the home. With backgrounds in sculpture, industrial design, and art direction, Khamisi and Sandro Lopez founded Sandro Lopez Milano in 2020, continuing to inspire us with delightful design.
Sara Khamisi
To learn more about Kish o Mat ceramics collection, please visit sandrolopez.com.
Photography courtesy of Sandro Lopez Milano.