Hortensia Table

Vibrancy of cobalt blue and complex flower patterns.

The botanical name for the hydrangea plant dates back to the 18th century. 

The Dutch botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius thought its flowers resembled an ancient water jug, leading him to combine the Greek words hydro (water) and angeion (pitcher). As hydrangeas are water-loving plants, it is an appropriate name.

A hydrangea is also known by its common name, hortensia, which was coined in 1771 by French botanist Philibert Commerson. He is thought to have named the flower after his mistress, Hortense de Nassau, daughter of the Prince of Nassau, with whom he had shared a botanical expedition.

Faial, one of the Azores islands, is known as the ‘Blue Island’ because it is home to the world’s most spectacular vista of wild blue hydrangeas in July, which love the high acidity of its volcanic soil.

The transitional ombré effect of this spectacular marquetry pattern is created from rippled sycamore veneer dyed with cobalt blue and black dyes that bleed into one another.

Further embellishment is then added by inlaying precious metal silver inlays outlining the perimeter of flower petals, with white mother-of-pearl representing the central pistils.

Dyed rippled sycamore, sterling silver, white mother-of-pearl and polished nickel

DIMENSIONS: 169 × 91 × 75cm