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Sonian
About
VERNACULAIRE
Sonian presents the VERNACULAIRE series: a collection of unique objects crafted from the historic wood of the Sonian Forest in Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most treasured woodland areas.
Working with old-growth wood is akin to embarking on a journey through time. The trees used in the VERNACULAIRE series have taken centuries to mature, with some harvested from the very spot where Emperor Charles V hosted a grand feast for 12.000 horse riders in 1556. Others were meticulously planted in thousands of neat rows by forest guards in the 18th century. Each object in this collection celebrates the silvicultural and aesthetic achievements of pre-industrial times, while boldly projecting them into the future.
Our inspiration is drawn from vernacular objects of humble origin — such as a farmer's chair or the wooden peg on a timber frame—each embodying simplicity, tradition, and a unique identity. These items, handcrafted with extraordinary attention to details, speak of a time when skill and care were paramount. To further enrich the cultural and aesthetic context of these everyday objects, we have woven in references to rare tapestries from the 16th century “Les Chasses de Maximilien, (on display at the Louvre in Paris), the only known depictions of the Sonian Forest from the early renaissance period. Designer Benjamin Moncarey has reimagined these objects to meet contemporary needs, bridging the past, present and future.
The VERNACULAIRE series creates a fictional universe that blends tradition, modernity and a vision of the future.
Bio: Sonian is a highly specialised atelier working exclusively with unique hardwood from the Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exceptional towering beech trees. We create sought-after objects in collaboration with leading designers and provide in-house production facilities for bespoke projects.
Sonian presents the VERNACULAIRE series: a collection of unique objects crafted from the historic wood of the Sonian Forest in Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most treasured woodland areas.
Working with old-growth wood is akin to embarking on a journey through time. The trees used in the VERNACULAIRE series have taken centuries to mature, with some harvested from the very spot where Emperor Charles V hosted a grand feast for 12.000 horse riders in 1556. Others were meticulously planted in thousands of neat rows by forest guards in the 18th century. Each object in this collection celebrates the silvicultural and aesthetic achievements of pre-industrial times, while boldly projecting them into the future.
Our inspiration is drawn from vernacular objects of humble origin — such as a farmer's chair or the wooden peg on a timber frame—each embodying simplicity, tradition, and a unique identity. These items, handcrafted with extraordinary attention to details, speak of a time when skill and care were paramount. To further enrich the cultural and aesthetic context of these everyday objects, we have woven in references to rare tapestries from the 16th century “Les Chasses de Maximilien, (on display at the Louvre in Paris), the only known depictions of the Sonian Forest from the early renaissance period. Designer Benjamin Moncarey has reimagined these objects to meet contemporary needs, bridging the past, present and future.
The VERNACULAIRE series creates a fictional universe that blends tradition, modernity and a vision of the future.
Bio: Sonian is a highly specialised atelier working exclusively with unique hardwood from the Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exceptional towering beech trees. We create sought-after objects in collaboration with leading designers and provide in-house production facilities for bespoke projects.