You've been asking for a while if we have larger diameter bowls, so we've made a giant concrete Gargantua bowl for you! This time we have also prepared a small excursion into the production of our concrete bowls. We make our bowls in the traditional plasterer's way from start to finish. Our bowls thus have a distinctive artisanal imprint that perfectly complements the characteristic concrete precision. Slight traces of sanding and retouching can be found on the surface of the bowl, giving a more human touch in contrast to the perfect precision of the overall shape.
The shape and cut is based on the popular Half Bowl, but it is an incredible 45cm in diameter! We produce the bowl in our traditional shades and colour combinations.
Plastering of the bowl
The bowl was made in the traditional plasterer's way, i.e. by twisting the model into live plaster using a steel planchette. In this way, decorative cornices and profiles on the facades of Baroque, Art Nouveau and Renaissance houses were "pulled". The principle is seemingly very simple. First, you carve the inside of the bowl into the sculptured clay. Gradually, you add clay to the model and fill in the gaps in the model with clay that has been trimmed with a planchette. You gradually speed up the rotation and when you are satisfied with the perfection of the model, you replace the planchette with a larger one.
The second plate will hold the outer shape of the bowl itself. This time, we're going to cast into the plaster. This is where craftsmanship is very important, especially with a shell this thin. You have to mix the plaster so that it sets very slowly, but at the same time it is strong enough to be separated from the inner clay part after it has matured. This is complicated by the fact that the plaster is hydrated by the sculpting clay throughout the process, so it is preferable to separate the plaster model sooner rather than later. Therefore, in order to circle the shape into the living plaster, it needs to be slowed down, so to speak. The plaster is slowed down by the addition of glue, gelatine, lye, vinegar and a variety of other substances. However, it is the degree that counts. Once the model has been perfectly sculpted, the plaster model must be separated from the sculpting clay that defines the interior and allowed to dry thoroughly. After drying, the model is then hand sanded and retouched to its final form. The retouching is followed by conservation, separation and moulding for casting in concrete.
You already know how Gargantua came into the world, but what about her now?
Use the giant bowl at home and in the garden. It can hold a harvest of apples, plums, cherries or even mushrooms. You can use it as a planter and plant dry-loving herbs in it, or fill it with water and play walnut boating with the kids. The Gargantua bowl will delight you with its size, becoming an original and dominant element in your home. Believe us, every visitor will notice it immediately. Gargantua is very unusual.
