Created in collaboration with Belgian brand Arte, The Menagerie of Extinct Animals is Moooi’snewest range of wall coverings and textiles, inspired by archive drawings of bygone creatures.
In keeping with Moooi’s tradition, the collection was presented for the first time during the 2018 Milan design week. The10 extinct creatures at the center of the collection, found by exploring various museums, are the armored boar, the calligraphy bird, the dodo, the flying coral fish, the umbrella squid, the aristo quagga (a zebra-like animal), the blooming seadragon, the blushing sloth, the dwarf rhinoceros, and the bearded leopard.
Complimentary designs are dedicated to each creature, with the aim of creating the impression of fur, plumage, or skin. Patterns are based on the color and texture of each animal, as depicted in the drawings, with the papers themselves adding yet another dimension of realism through the use of materials like suede, paper weave, raw jute, metal foil, and moiré textile.
DWARF RHINO
DODO PAVONE
While the designs are subtle, the effects are dramatic. For the wallpaper based on the aristo quagga, the pattern, with its brown gridded texture and faint black markings, is intended to reference the animal’s “delicate features and royal appearance.” The armored boar design is printed on gauze and Japanese paper, to mimic the animal’s allegedly shiny coat. For the blushing sloth paper, a grey-brown flock finish resembles the animal’s fur, while blue calligraphy swirls complement the calligraphy bird wall covering.
ARISTO QUAGGA
BLOOMING SEADRAGON
CALLIGRAPHY BIRD
The collection’s piece de resistance is a fantastic fauna print in which all 10 animals are mysteriously hidden amongst lush foliage. From subtle to sensational, The Menagerie of Extinct Animals is a must for those looking to bring wild style to their interiors.
MENAGERIE OF EXTINCT ANIMALS
