Zumitz Collection

Starting from a woven chestnut basket Iratzoki & Lizaso designed for Alki a collection of objects for the home and hospitality industry, giving new use to this technique.

The starting point for the Zumitz Collection, on view for the first time at Maison&Objet, was a woven chestnut basket…

Still craft-made by the expert hands of artisans in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this time-honoured tool from the Basque Country is, even today, used by smallholders, fishermen and bakers.

A collection of objects for the home and hospitality industry has been developed from this rural tool that encapsulates the world of work. Designed by Iratzoki & Lizaso and made, in part, by local basket craftsmen, the collection clearly flies the flag of transmission of cultural heritage.

New use has been given to this technique of weaving chestnut wood strips (known as zumitzak in the Basque language) by assembling them on a tubular metal structure.

Thanks to this application, yesterday’s tool has made room for today’s practical object. Zumitz comprises a range of objects including a coffee table, screen and log basket. The whole collection exudes a simple ruggedness that fits perfectly into contemporary settings.