Blown glass with phosphorescent materials

Lapides Luminosi ("Luminous Stones") is a contemporary glass object inspired by an ancient innovation: the reflective stones embedded in Roman roads, which served as early guides in the night and precursors to modern cat’s eyes. This work draws from the quiet presence of these functional elements, reimagining them as glowing symbols of memory, guidance, and the timeless human need to find direction in the dark.

The piece is formed through the process of free-blown glass and infused with phosphorescent materials. It absorbs light and emit a gentle glow in the dark, echoing the gentle shimmer that once lit the streets of ancient Pompeii. In its form and function, it recalls a moment when light met stone to serve the traveler.

Lapides luminosi serves as both tribute and transformation. It brings historical design into a contemporary context, turning a utilitarian concept into a contemplative object. It invites quiet observation and reflection on how small details, then and now, shape the way we experience space and time.

This object is not only meant to be seen, but to suggest the act of being seen. It honors the continuity between past and present, and the enduring beauty of subtle illumination.