Studio Profile
An uncompromising passion for defining value through emotional experience laid the foundations for KACPER HAMILTON — the London-based internationally acclaimed design practice of directors Kacper Hamilton and Ezgi Turksoy.

Over the years, KACPER HAMILTON has developed a unique style, which is inspired by narratives, tradition and rituals. The studio’s work draws from Hamilton’s intuitive drive to create modernity through bringing elements of the past into a contemporary context. The notion of storytelling plays a significant role in the studio’s design process, as well as the aspiration to create timeless artefacts that carry underlying values of heritage and respect for the past.

BISHOP of NORWICH by KACPER HAMILTON
Influenced by and named after the classic tale of the ‘Bishop of Norwich’, a nineteenth-century gentleman notorious for forgetting to pass the port. This set brings about the return of humble rituals from the past through a drink that has
become quintessentially British.

With respect to the tradition, the ‘Bishop of Norwich’ has been specifically designed to encourage the user to drink their port and pass the decanter. Due to their elaborate design the port glasses and decanter cannot be put down on the table unless placed within their individual brass bases, hence the port is continuously passed, shared and quaffed.

An elongated wooden tray brings all the parts together, making the complete creation a grand central piece. The ebony finish creates a striking contrast with the brushed sheen of the brass and a distinctive sculptural form appears when all the elements are displayed alongside one another. A 'Still-Life' photograph was also created by the studio to celebrate the historical aspect & the elements of ritual infused within the fashion of drinking port. The composition was inspired by the famous Dutch 'Vanitas' paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries representing the materialism versus the fragility of life. Symbolism was tackled within the composition; alongside the Bishop of Norwich, other objects were used as specific references such as the oyster shell emphasizing indulgence and the thistle symbolizing nobility.
Each solid brass base is engraved with the KH Studio monogram. The large decanter base displays the edition number (Limited Edition of 12), date of production, and
'Made in England'.

The Etiquet te of Port :
When Port wine is passed around at British meals, one tradition dictates that a diner passes the decanter to the left immediately after pouring a glass for his or her
neighbour on the right; the decanter should not stop its clockwise progress around the table until it is finished. If someone is seen to have failed to follow tradition, the breach is brought to their attention by asking ‘Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?’; those aware of the tradition treat the question as a reminder, while those who do not are told ‘He is a terribly good chap, but he always forgets to pass the port!’

Bishop of Norwich was release at Mint Gallery in London coinciding with London Design
Festival 2013.
For more information please contact info@kacperhamilton.com
www.kacperhamilton.com