We are delighted to unveil a truly special creative collaboration between Ardmore and Philip Janssen, an inspired African safari ceramic tablescape created for the enchanting setting of Château de Lalande.

Philip has long been inspired by the idea of a surtout de table, the French tradition of an ornamental centerpiece designed to anchor and elevate a formal dining table. This vision extends beyond a single focal piece, encompassing an arrangement of sculptural elements, including candelabra and decorative objects, all thoughtfully composed to create a cohesive and immersive tablescape. Following a visit to Ardmore, this concept was reignited, evolving into a surtout de table reimagined through an African lens.

The tablescape features two striking sets of candelabra. The first takes the form of a fever tree, alive with narrative, leopards stealthily stalking baboons and monkeys that also animate the canopy above, capturing a vivid and dynamic moment in the wild. The second candelabra draws inspiration from the iconic acacia tree, depicting a tranquil bushveld scene populated with savannah fauna, of antelope and a family of warthogs.

Anchoring the composition is a dynamic centrepiece inspired by the great migration, where zebra and wildebeest move in unison across the plains, an evocative tribute to one of Africa’s most powerful natural spectacles. Encircling this are four elegant giraffe sculptures, each reaching upward toward the treetops, adding height, movement, and a sense of quiet grace to the setting.

Smaller elements further enrich the tablescape, including sculptural box forms inspired by cycads, porcupines, pangolins, and tortoises, alongside small animal sculptures such as lions and hyenas. Both decorative and functional, these works invite closer discovery, adding layers of detail and completing the immersive narrative of the table.

This collaboration is a celebration of artistry, imagination, and shared vision.