Mella Shaw TerraLume Candleholder

Mella’s TerraLume Candleholders are inspired by rare earth minerals and their otherworldly forms and hues. Implicit alongside their sculptural beauty is the subtle message that these natural wonders of the earth are not just rare, they are ever-scarcer too. The raku-firing lends the surfaces a particularly mesmerising and varied metallic palette, which comes alive by candlelight.

In Mella’s own words: "These hollow cube forms are handcrafted from a heavily grogged clay, then left to dry slowly to achieve the perfect consistency for carving. Using a handheld metal sheet, the clay is meticulously cut away in a process inspired by the Japanese technique of kurinuki. The resulting geometric planes evoke the crystalline structures found in rare earth minerals, a reminder of their fragile beauty as these resources become increasingly depleted. The rich metallic hues are achieved through traditional raku firing, further emphasising the connection between natural elements and the impermanence of our environment."

What is your favourite aspect of Scottish winter? “Sea swimming in Scotland in the depths of winter gives a natural high that cannot be beaten and makes a ‘shivery bite’ (the sweet treat eaten to warm up again afterwards) that much more delicious.”

Height 18.2cm, width 18cm, depth 17cm.