Egyptian design celebrated by new brand Don Tanani

Designed by Egyptian designer Lina Al Orabi, Don Tanani’s inaugural collection features wooden furniture characterized by contemporary forms created using ancient craftsmanship techniques. Pictured here is the Nebu & Kem coffee table, named after the Egyptian words for gold and black and made of contrasting carved oak as well as oxidized oak inlaid with blue paint

(Image credit: designer Lina Al Orabi)

By Rosa Bertoli

published 29 March 2021

Egyptian interior design firm Living in Interior and wood producers Ar-Co have come together to launch a new vision of contemporary furniture (opens in new tab). Working with local designer Lina Al Orabi, Don Tanani is a new brand and design gallery featuring contemporary pieces created to be a timeless interpretation of Egyptian design and identity.

Don Tanani’s inaugural collection features wooden furniture such as tables, consoles and seating defined by curved lines crafted using traditional joinery and carving techniques from ancient Egypt. ‘The brand answers a need in the MENA region and Egyptian design market for elevation in design made in Egypt and the Middle East,’ say its founders, members of the Tanani family. ‘We intend to push the boundary of Egytpian design and functional art; creating products that emulate art.’ The collection will grow in collaboration with more pieces by Egyptian designers.

Egyptian design by Lina El Orabi

The Ourobobos bench, made of oxidized oak inlaid with blue paint, a technique evoking the way the Ancient Egyptian craftsmen would inlay wood with precious stones

Don Tanani’s debut collection of wooden furniture is created in collaboration with Egyptian designer Lina El Orabi and titled Duality, a name that identifies the company’s contemporary design attitude that is rooted in traditional local craft. ‘In ancient Egypt, objects and art were considered a living image of their subject, preserving their likeness and existing for the afterlife and future generations,’ reads the company’s inaugural design statement. ‘Carving gave static materials warmth, movement and life; encapsulating a moment in time.’

Isfet console cabinet with an inlaid motif created using ancient Egyptian techniques. — Top, the Apep side table seen from above, representing the coils of the eponymous, serpent-shaped ancient Egyptian demon of chaos. Bottom, the Isfet console cabinet with an inlaid motif created using ancient Egyptian techniques

The sleek wooden pieces feature curved silhouettes and thick volumes, as well as patterns that add lightness to the wooden furniture. The collection combines natural woods with wood veneer techniques replicating those used in ancient Egypt, oxidized and inlaid with camel bone to create visual contrasts. ‘This first collection aims to revive cultural memories and bring centuries of craft and design into the present,’ they conclude.

Two years in the making, the Duality collection marks the beginning of a design journey that aims at elevating Egyptian design, and celebrating local creative talent.

INFORMATION

dontanani.com (opens in new tab)

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.