Fusing art and technology

KAREN WIGHT

I received my first piece of Nambe 21 years ago as a wedding gift,

and have used my large serving bowl religiously since the day I took

it out of the box.

It can go in the freezer, the oven and anywhere in between. It’s

beautiful enough to stand up with the china and crystal, durable

enough to take on a picnic. It’s practically perfect in every way.

Nambe (pronounced nom-BAY) was created in 1951 in Santa Fe, N.M,

from a closely guarded metal alloy formula that came from industrial

technology at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The metal is a

chemistry coup, but the true beauty of Nambe is that its pieces are

inspired by timeless design and fastidious craftsmanship.

At first glance, you may think Nambe is sterling silver, but its

substantial thickness and cutting-edge design sets it apart from any

other product on the market. Nambe designs are described as

“organic,” but there’s much more than meets the eye. No two pieces of

Nambe are identical. Each piece is hand-cast, ground and polished to

assure every item is a unique work of art. Many of Nambe’s early

designs, like the Tri-Corner and Butterfly Bowl, still sell as

briskly today as they did in the 1950s.

Designers at Nambe are given free reign, constantly redefining the

“design vocabulary.” Nambe diversity ranges from organic to man-made,

from billowing sails to melting ice and ancient forms to modern

elegance.

Nambe serving pieces have a polished surface that gets better with

the patina it acquires over time. The original styles still translate

50 years later: the Butterfly Bowl by Richard Thomas; the Platter;

the Lava Bowl and the Shrimp and Sauce Bowl transcend fads. I use my

large metal bowl daily for salads. Every Christmas, I freeze the

Wight House Christmas Curry in it, then pop the bowl and contents in

the oven Christmas morning so I can enjoy the day and still have a

fabulous meal served in an amazing dish. Nambe takes multi-tasking to

a new level.

Nambe added a crystal product line in 1998 that uses the same

design interpretations as its metal counterparts. The crystal bowls,

vases, candlesticks and votive holders share the Nambe dedication to

beauty, quality and heirloom value. In the crystal product care

guide, I found an excellent piece of glass care information. To

remove water deposit buildup and stains, swirl a handful of uncooked

rice in a solution of lemon juice or vinegar and warm water to remove

residue. I guess if they can create a new metal, they can figure out

how to clean glass.

If you are looking for a special occasion gift or need a timeless

accessory for yourself, Nambe impeccably combines functionality and

elegance.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.