Bound by Heritage: Rope-Making Meets Oyster Shell Waste
Linea by Studio Noff
Linea - Details by Studio Noff - Photo by Daniel Elkayam
Though often overlooked, rope has been pivotal in human history as one of the earliest tools for connecting materials and crafting objects. This simple yet indispensable invention has silently accompanied the evolution of human culture, linking ideas, materials, and traditions across time. From the first braided threads used to secure primitive shelters to the intricate knots employed by sailors today, the rope has been integral to human progress. It enabled the domestication of animals, facilitated the ploughing of fields, and even inspired early mathematical concepts. Without it, the course of human innovation would have been profoundly different.
In the southwestern Charente region of France, rope-making has been a cornerstone of local life for centuries. The craft was deeply interwoven with the region's industries and culture. Blessed with fertile soils and abundant quarries, Charente thrived through the mastery of trades that supported the production of essential goods such as salt, paper, and porcelain. Farmers, fishermen, and shipbuilders relied on rope as an indispensable livelihood tool.
The River Charente was a crucial trade artery, transporting goods such as salt, paper, and porcelain to distant markets. Ropes secured sails to masts and held goods firmly in place during transit, binding the region's prosperity to its rope-making heritage. However, with the advent of industrial technologies and the opening of new trade routes, the once-essential craft of rope-making began to decline. Today, only the Corderie Palus in Saint-Pantaléon-de-Larche remains, standing as the last workshop dedicated to preserving this time-honoured tradition in France—a quiet testament to the resilience of this ancient craft.
Linea Vessels by Studio Noff - Photo by Daniel Elkayam
Linea: Reimagining Connections
Daniel Garber and Amalia Magril, the founders of Noff Studio, embarked on a journey to explore the rich material and cultural resources of Charente through their initiative, Linea. Rope emerged as the guiding thread of their exploration—a symbol of the region's cultural fabric and a metaphor for the connections that define its identity.
Linea proposes a collaborative network as a new way of creating goods that bridge tradition and modernity. In a series of objects, the project integrates ropes from Corderie Palus, the last traditional rope-maker in France, with two of Charente's most iconic industries: Limoges porcelain and oyster farming. Linea sparks a dialogue between the past and present through this collaboration, blending craftsmanship with innovation.
The porcelain, made from Kaolin—a white clay discovered near Limoges in the 18th century—is renowned for its luminous quality and is celebrated as one of Charente's great cultural contributions. Adding to this, oyster shell ash, a by-product of the region's thriving oyster farming industry, brings unique textures and earthy colours to the porcelain. When fired at high temperatures, the shell ash undergoes a vitrification process, which creates striking textures and shades ranging from greens to browns.
Charente’s Industry: Oyster Farming – Shell Waste
Transforming Oyster Shell Waste into Porcelain
Oyster Shell Waste Adds Unique Textures and Earthy Colours to Porcelain
Linea Vessels by Studio Noff - Photo by Daniel Elkayam
A New Narrative for Local Craft
The objects created for Linea feature an innovative porcelain blend that incorporates substantial shell waste from the oyster farming industry. By repurposing oyster shells, the project significantly reduces reliance on extracted minerals for clay and grounds production in local resources and craftsmanship.
The shapes of these vessels are inspired by historic ceramic forms from La Chapelle-des-Pots, a village renowned for its long-standing ceramic traditions. Thoughtfully designed, each piece integrates ropes in functional and decorative ways, paying homage to the art of knot-making while preserving the nearly forgotten craft of rope-making in Charente.
By merging these elements—rope, porcelain, and oyster shells—Linea creates objects that honour the region's rich heritage while reimagining its future. This union of materials and traditions celebrates the deep connections between Charente's industries, landscapes, and people. At the same time, it offers a vision of how age-old practices can inspire meaningful innovation.
Presented at Dutch Design Week 2024 - (w)aardewerk exhibition by @craftscouncilnederland
Sources
Water jar with spout (vase à bec) from La Chapelle-des-Pots, 16th century – The Met
Ovive – Processing Oyster Shell Waste