In 1999, a simple bar stool design for an exclusive New York club sparked a creative journey that spanned over two decades, establishing itself as a design icon. This remarkable creation, known as the Bishop, was envisioned by celebrated Iranian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi. As the Bishop celebrates its 25th anniversary, Mahdavi has launched the 17th edition of her Project Room series, an initiative that highlights innovative design from around the world. This installment focuses on the evolution and enduring allure of the Bishop.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Architect: India Mahdavi
Design: Bishop
Anniversary: 25th
Project Room Edition: 17th
Location: New York/Global
Material Exploration: Ceramics
The Bishop was born out of Mahdavi’s desire to create a sculptural bar stool that was unparalleled in the design world. Looking for inspiration, she was drawn to the image of chess pieces and aimed to emulate the aesthetic of a chess set through her designs. Initially, the Bishop had a strong, graphic presence but was deemed too specific for versatile usage. Mahdavi reimagined it as a hybrid piece, capable of functioning both as a stool and a side table, morphing into the versatile masterpiece it is recognized as today. The journey to its iconic status didn’t stop there; Mahdavi later experimented with materials, introducing the Bishop’s first ceramic edition while working on a hospitality project in Mexico City. The ceramic version added tactile warmth and visual appeal, expanding the Bishop’s repertoire.
As highlighted in Mahdavi’s Project Room #17, Bishop: 25 Years, the exhibition provides a retrospective look at the Bishop’s growth and transformation over time. The design has undergone multiple adaptations in material, scale, and utility, giving rise to a broader family of creations. These offshoots include the Baby Bishop stool, the sophisticated Cocktail table, the Peanut, which creatively merges two Bishop stools into one piece, and the COD (Complément d’Objet Direct), a refined side table variation. Distinguished adaptations of the Bishop have found permanent homes in notable museum collections; the Bishop Or can be seen at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, while the Bishop Primadonna is part of the collection at the Centre Georges Pompidou.
Taking the celebration of the Bishop further, Mahdavi has ventured beyond traditional design expressions. She has teamed up with Palomas, an esteemed chocolatier from Lyon, to create an edible version of the Bishop. These confections are crafted from luxurious Peruvian dark chocolate and are ingeniously designed to incorporate six hidden Iranian pistachios in each piece. The chocolates make their debut encased in a mauve tray, paying homage to the renowned color associated with Iranian miniaturist Reza Abbassi. The packaging is adorned with Mahdavi’s Criss Cross pattern—a modern reinterpretation of the classic tartan design—adding an additional layer of artistic tribute to her storied career.
The timeless appeal of the Bishop, accompanied by its playful yet sophisticated reinterpretations, continues to captivate design enthusiasts and the general public alike. Whether displayed in prestigious museums, adapted into new functional forms, or transformed into a delightful edible indulgence, the Bishop exemplifies Mahdavi’s enduring contribution to design. It is a testament to her unique ability to fuse functionality with artistic expression, thereby demonstrating that exceptional design is limitless in its potential.
Those eager to delve deeper into the Bishop’s rich history and its numerous adaptations can explore further details through Mahdavi’s dedicated platform, where the story of this distinctive design evolution is shared. The Bishop remains a symbol of inventive design—a piece that challenges and inspires, reflecting Mahdavi’s celebrated legacy in the world of architecture and design.
