Aaron Johnson designed the Fiesta collection of handsome metal serving bowls and platters for Nambé. At once artistic and functional, the Fiesta two-quart oval bowl displays a slightly asymmetrical shape that is fairly deep, and is topped by a wide, flat rim that offers ease in carrying. Made of a special metal alloy which is excellent at retaining cold as well as heat, the bowl can be chilled in the freezer before serving a cold salad or dessert (especially handy for a summer outdoor barbecue), and may even be used to bake a casserole in the oven. The durable, gleaming metal will not crack, chip, or tarnish, but may not be used in a microwave or dishwasher. Washing by hand will preserve the beautiful luster of the piece. This particular Fiesta bowl measures 14 inches long by 8 inches in width. Nambé was founded in 1951 in a village of the same name in scenic northern New Mexico. From the beginning, the company focused on hand-producing high-quality, functional metal items such as bowls and trays with great attention to timeless, modern design. Still made in the USA, Nambé's signature metal alloy is liquefied, poured into a hand-made sand cast, and the resulting piece repeatedly polished and smoothed by hand. Exceptional gifts for the most special of occasions, Nambé metal bowls and accessories are now joined by porcelain and crystal pieces, each flawlessly crafted. Nambé ware has won numerous design awards, has been shown in or recognized by nearly two dozen museums worldwide, and is part of the permanent collections of many, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. --Ann Bieri
