Memphis Nilo vase

Memphis Nilo is one of the iconic vases designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano, part of a series dedicated to the great rivers of the world. Crafted in hand-painted white porcelain, Nilo is far more than a simple vessel: it is a sculpture that deconstructs and recomposes the traditional form of the ceramic vase, resulting in a composition of vertically stacked shapes that play with unstable balance. A single splash of colour accentuates the contrast between the purity of the material and the boldness of the composition, creating a surprising and dynamic visual effect.

Despite the apparent instability of its overlapping forms, every element of the vase is perfectly balanced, as if suspended between movement and stillness — a clear evocation of the fluidity and evocative power of rivers. The handcrafted porcelain finish adds a unique dimension, emphasising the dialogue between material and form. With a height of 310 mm and a diameter of 140 mm, Nilo is a design object capable of transforming any domestic environment into an artistic statement. It fits naturally into a living room as a collectible piece of absolute aesthetic value, and finds its ideal place in any space where the radical and visionary design of the 1980s is celebrated. Nilo is a prime example of Sottsass' distinctive language, transforming a functional object into a work that challenges traditional design conventions and evokes, through bold shapes and colours, the silent power of a great river.