Hydria is a sculptural vessel from the Cordes collection, which explores the sculptural and symbolic potential of a technique conceived at the crossroads of cultures. Inspired by a traditional Japanese craft—the application of urushi lacquer on rice ropes—Thomas Noui and Victor Robin reinterpret this ancestral gesture within a European context, reviving forgotten Western materials such as Martin varnish and pine tar.

Made of hemp rope, pine resin, and lacquer, Hydria evokes archetypal ancient forms while asserting a distinctly contemporary materiality. This sculptural object reimagines the memory of domestic and ritual uses, transforming a traditional container into an autonomous artwork. It is emblematic of Zbeul Studio’s practice, which questions the lineage between craft, design, and archaeology, thereby opening a space for dialogue between history and alternate temporalities.