Alessi Honey Pot

The Jewish Museum, New York, and Alessi have collaborated on a special selection of the vendor's designs centered around Jewish traditions and holidays. Consumers can purchase these objects– intended to accompany observation of Rosh Hashanah, the Sabbath, Passover and other important occasions– through The Jewish Museum shops as well as Alessi shops.

The a special collection for The Jewish Museum emerges from an ongoing collaboration between the institution and Alessi that began in 2010 with the introduction of a mezuzah entitled Connection, created exclusively for The Jewish Museum by designer Dror Benshetrit.

The Alessi collection includes serving and entertaining pieces such as a Rosh Hashanah Apple and Honey Set that brings together Alessi’s stainless steel round tray and small bowl by Christopher Dresser. Also for Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish Museum and Alessi are offering a pair of whimsical honey pots shaped like apples and designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA.

For the Sabbath, the collection offers a challah serving set comprised of a bamboo Programma 8 chopping board and stainless steel Programma 8 tray designed by architect Franco Sargiani and designer Eija Helander. Those elements are coupled with a Nuovo Milano carving knife for a formal service conceived by landmark designer and architect Ettore Sottsass. An informal challah option is offered in the form of Anna and Gian Franco Gasparini’s Sbriciola bamboo bread board with thermoplastic resin crumb tray. Havdalah spice boxes are the designs of the Italian architects and designers Aldo Rossi and Alessandro Mendini.

A highlight of the collaboration between The Jewish Museum and Alessi is a dramatic Passover Seder plate that combines architect Zhang Ke’s Ming tray and Pietro Gerosa’s Blip spoon rests, on which consumers can place each of the six symbolic holiday foods.

“The Jewish Museum is honored and delighted by its growing collaboration with Alessi,” said Claudia Gould, the institution’s Helen Goldsmith Menschel director. “Our museum’s permanent collection, exhibitions and programs, and shops are dynamic and popular because of our strong relationships with both the past and the present, and our engagement with the world’s most creative minds. In Alessi we have found a kindred spirit, a family company that prizes tradition, art and culture, and collaboration.”

Paolo Cravedi, managing director of Alessi USA, said, “Alessi’s serving pieces have always been a well-known, elegant option when it comes to entertaining. However, the concept developed by The Jewish Museum has taken this one step further by identifying key product sets for specific occasions relating to Jewish holidays and traditions. Our collaboration with The Jewish Museum is so beneficial for both parties and a perfect partnership.”

The new product sets will roll out through The Jewish Museum shops and its website beginning this month. Prices range from $35 for the Havdalah spice boxes to $737 for the Passover Seder plate.