Nothing could be further from the culture of instant gratification than Berthold Hoffmann's creations; instead, they demand an enhanced level of consciousness for the world and the objects around us.

Elevating tableware to a higher level.

Nothing could be further from the culture of instant gratification than Berthold Hoffmann's creations; instead, they demand an enhanced level of consciousness for the world and the objects around us.

Berthold Hoffmann has had his own studio in Nuremberg for almost twenty years. While studying at the Nuremberg College of Art, the Heidelberg-born designer decided to devote his talents to designing good, solid cast-iron pots, dishes and cooking utensils as well as appealing yet unusual Sterling silver tableware. One of the defining aims of the designer, who was nominated Master Student in 1984, was to reduce each item to the absolute minimum number of functional elements, thus restoring clear, classical lines and shapes. The clientele of this down-to-earth Nuremberg designer tends to be as highly individual in their tastes and lifestyle as his almost sculptural metal pieces.

"My products are the expression of a sustainable lifestyle and culture, one which respects the materials, the craftsmanship required to make them and the sophistication of the owner," explains Berthold Hoffmann.

With this dedication and clear-cut philosophy, it is only natural that Berthold Hoffmann's cast metal objects have won several prizes, including the Hessian State Award for German Arts and Crafts, and the Bochum Design Prize. Nobody who has actually seen and held one of these outstanding cast metal and silver pieces will be surprised to learn that they can be found in numerous collections, e.g. at the Museum of Applied Art in Frankfurt am Main or the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Hamburg.

One of the many masterpieces created by the amiable award-winner is this set, consisting of a round wine jug and a square water jug on a tray. Hoffmann made it with small blocks of silver and a silver alloy with a fineness of 925/000, beaten into shape and then polished to a high sheen. 

A feast for the eyes, not only for tea lovers: this magnificent silver tea set (silver is traditionally used to make tea pots and other tea items as it neutralises toxins in foods and beverages) on a nutwood tray. Outstanding craftsmanship has gone into shaping the silver, which, although it is relatively hard, is also fairly elastic, into an aesthetically appealing, distinctive form. 

 Equally impressive is this wonderful fondue set, with a fondue pot shaped, ground and polished by Hoffmann. The cast metal feet and handle hinges with moveable handles are finely soldered to the main body. The forks are cut from flat silver, sawn into shape, filed and finely polished. The hexagonal ebony handles are mounted in hexagonal silver holders. Hoffmann made the metal hotplate using a casting technique (see Photo 4 for details).

Due to its excellent thermal and heat conduction properties, cast iron - iron in its most basic, predominant form - is ideal for cooking utensils. It is also very easy to care for and needs to be washed in water only. Finally, it also helps to prevent anaemia. Hoffmann harnesses all of these properties to create distinctive cooking utensils such as pots, casseroles and fondue sets.

A further example of Hoffmann's outstanding craftsmanship is this perfectly shaped casserole made of pure cast iron with cast handles and a lid. The precision casting technique (which uses a plastic model to create a sand mould; the shape is then cast in iron at a local foundry) enables Hoffmann to create a distinctively shaped casserole, which is perfect down to the smallest detail. The surface was sand-blasted and burnt black with cooking fat. The final touch was to hone the base until it was perfectly smooth and flat.

Text: Jonas Kleber

Fotos: Bertold Hoffmann