Alessi 'La Stanza dello Scirocco' Stainless Steel Centerpiece Bowl
Hollowware / Centerpiece Bowl · Alessi; founded in 1921 in Italy. Renowned for collaborating with world-class architects and designers to create functional art. The brand is a leader in the 'Italian Design Factory' movement.
Pattern: 'La Stanza dello Scirocco' (The Room of the Scirocco) designed by Mario Trimarchi, introduced circa 2009. It is part of a series inspired by the childhood memory of hiding from the hot Sicilian winds.
Type
Hollowware / Centerpiece Bowl
Maker
Alessi; founded in 1921 in Italy. Renowned for collaborating with world-class architects and designers to create functional art. The brand is a leader in the 'Italian Design Factory' movement.
Material
18/10 Stainless Steel. While it has a silver-colored appearance, this is a high-grade steel alloy containing 18% chromium and 10% nickel, known for its durability and corrosion resistance. It is not sterling silver.
Dimensions
Standard size is approximately 24.5 cm (9.6 inches) in length/width and 12 cm (4.7 inches) in height. Weight is roughly 800 - 1,000 grams.
Description
An evocative and highly architectural centerpiece, the bowl is composed of steel shards that appear to be blown together by a gust of wind. It creates a play of shadows and light through its intricate openwork, embodying the tension between stillness and motion.
Key Features
Irregular, asymmetric geometric petals; shadow play; signature Mario Trimarchi aesthetic; balanced but seemingly chaotic structure.
Material & Composition
18/10 Stainless Steel. While it has a silver-colored appearance, this is a high-grade steel alloy containing 18% chromium and 10% nickel, known for its durability and corrosion resistance. It is not sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished or matte/satin finish (photo indicates a satin/brushed finish). The decoration is structural, featuring 'fragments' or irregular geometric scales that simulate movement and chaos frozen in time. The style is Contemporary/Post-Modern.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually laser-engraved or stamped on the bottom with 'Alessi', 'Italy', '18/10 Stainless Steel', and the designer's name 'Mario Trimarchi'.
Construction Details
Precision die-cut geometric scales from sheet steel, subsequently welded together at specific contact points to create a stable but airy 3D form. It is a mass-produced industrial design piece requiring high-tech assembly.
Functional Features
Openwork lattice structure intended for use as a fruit bowl or decorative centerpiece. The gaps allow for airflow around fruit, though small items will slip through the openings.
Handle & Grip Details
No discrete handles; the serrated edges of the 'fragments' provide many points of contact for gripping the bowl, though edges may be slightly sharp by design.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent industrial craftsmanship. The welds between the thin 'scales' are remarkably strong yet nearly invisible from the exterior, maintaining the illusion of suspended fragments.
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive Alessi welding patterns; hallmark logo placement on the underside; specific geometric layout unique to the Trimarchi design. The 'clouding' is typical of 18/10 steel exposed to moisture.
Origin & Manufacturing
Crusinallo, Italy (Omegna). Manufactured by Alessi, a firm known for merging industrial production with high-concept artistic design.
Era & Period
Contemporary (21st Century). It reflects the early 2000s trend of 'Architectural Domesticity' where household objects mimic complex building structures.
Age Estimate
Circa 2009 to Present. The design remains in production, but the specific wear and oxidation pattern suggests this example is at least several years old.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of high design, where Alessi brought museum-quality architectural concepts into the modern kitchen and dining room.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible surface oxidation 'clouding' and water spots are present. There are light surface scratches and fingerprint oils that have settled into the finish. It requires thorough cleaning but appears structurally sound without broken welds.
Value Estimate
Retail new: $100 - $160 USD; Pre-owned/Market value: $45 - $85 USD depending on the removal of the current tarnish/spotting and the presence of the original box.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; for the clouding visible in the photo, a dedicated stainless steel cleaner (like Barkeepers Friend Soft Cleanser) or a vinegar/water solution will restore the luster. Avoid abrasive pads.
Similar Pieces
Georg Jensen 'Bloom' Bowls (curvilinear), Alessi 'Cactus!' series (more symmetrical), or Michael Graves designs. The 'Scirocco' stands out for its sharp, fragmented geometry.
Interesting Facts
The name refers to the windowless rooms in Sicilian country houses where families would wait out the Scirocco wind; the designer imagined the wind blowing papers around the room and freezing them in space.