"Shiva" vase by Ettore Sottsass Jr. for BD Barcelona Design 1971

Some objects manage to transcend their function to become symbols of an entire design era. The Shiva vase belongs to this category. Designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. and produced by BD Barcelona Design, it represents one of the most recognizable designs in Italian design of the late twentieth century.

Its totemic form develops through a sequence of superimposed volumes that transform the vase into an almost sculptural presence. While maintaining a concrete function, the design sits halfway between a functional object and a decorative work, perfectly reflecting Sottsass's vision, always interested in the symbolic value of domestic objects.

Observed in space, Shiva immediately captures attention thanks to the strength of its profile and the balance between geometry and sensuality of its forms. It is an object that does not need to be large to assert its identity, often becoming the focal point of a bookshelf, a console, or a table.

Produced by BD Barcelona Design, a company that played a fundamental role in the dissemination of radical and authorial European design, the Shiva vase continues to be one of Ettore Sottsass's most celebrated works. A piece that synthesizes formal research, experimentation, and design culture, maintaining its ability to interact with contemporary interiors and design collections.