Why Artifaqt Metal?
To be direct…we think our Metal Serveware is pretty badass. When you see our designs you might be instantly drawn to the form of the split walnut log or fossilized fern. Yes, our tabletop goods are designed for beauty, shape, and form, but some of the greatest attributes are less obvious to the eye. We’d like to highlight some of the characteristics of Artifaqt Metal that we are most proud about…
Michelin Starred
Proven in service where performance and visual perfection are essential. Our Chef’s Bright Metal was originally designed for Le Bernardin, New York City’s 3 star Michelin seafood restaurant. We started with serving platters to butler canapés in their private event space. From there we designed many other pieces for their main dining room including, The Canapé Tower, which now serves the first course of the Chef’s Tasting menu at Le Bernardin with proper NYC extravagance. Learn more about this collaboration, and others like it, with the “Collaborations” tab above.
Design
Nature is never out of place. Its curves and contours add understated beauty to the tabletop. All of our Metal Serveware is designed around and with these forms. Sea shells, split wood, fossilized ferns, and octopus tentacles are some of nature’s gifts that we borrow to create our designs.
Made in the USA
Except one foundry in Colorado, all of our manufacturing partners are within a 99-mile radius of our studio. This regional supply chain allows us to do business with an eye to eye relationship. For our Metal Serveware, the success of each step is dependent on the previous. Our intimate connection to the factory floor assures that our intended results are achieved. We can be in their production space to sharpen our knowledge of process and optimize our product’s quality. But this decision is larger than just business for us, it is a choice about community, culture, and how we should value the goods that we welcome into our lives.
Coatings
Chef’s Bright - When Eric Ripert contacted us about designing serveware for Le Bernardin, he was drawn to our designs and craftsmanship but required a surface that could withstand frequent commercial dish washing. Much trial, error and expertise led to Chef’s Bright, a two-step technical coating that needs no polishing and can withstand the rigors of a busy restaurant. We are extremely proud of this unique and durable finish, which is dishwasher safe and uncommonly - made in the USA.
Matte Black - Our other Metal finish is a hard coat anodized aluminum. Referred to as hardcoat or Type III anodized, this coating is typically utilized for performance more than aesthetics in industry but for us, it is both. To achieve it, each piece is submerged in a bath of acid that accelerates nature and oxidized the surface charcoal grey. An electrical current is run through the bath and the oxidized coating is fused to the aluminum surface creating the “hardcoat”. Anodizing the aluminum serveware increases the hardness of the surface leaving a durable, scratch resistant piece. Learn more about our Metal Serveware coatings in Our Process and Care.
Durability
Nothing is indestructible..but we design our Metal Serveware to be as close to that as we can feasibly achieve. Our coatings are impressively strong and durable, but like all handcrafted goods they still require care. Our Metal will fare much better than ceramic with the occasional drop, but we still wouldn’t recommend too many oopsies. And just as you wouldn’t cut on your favorite sauté pan, the less the knife the better.
Treat them with love and we are confident you will enjoy them for many years and decades to come.
Lifestyle
Life is short. Have some fun! Handcrafted serveware is a natural partner to handmade food. Our matte black and silvery finishes are the perfect backdrops to showcase your culinary creations.
Don’t feel like cooking? Use our serveware to elevate your sushi night (our seaweed platter and octopus chopstick rests!) or to share your favorite cheese, charcuterie or snacks with friends.
And at least for us, there is something a little extra special about buying goods when you know where they came from, who made them, and how. We hope to give you that same enjoyment.
Thank you for reading.
