Focus is a limited-edition candleholder designed by Panter&Tourron for the Italian metal manufacturer Mingardo.

The project refers to humanity’s ancient undertaking to tame and preserve fire: a primordial, adored, precious, ethereal, and eternal element. Conceived as an object out of time, “Focus” hides two flames behind a monolithic body, standing as both a symbol of the past and a thought towards a distant future.

A slit of light is revealed from within, in a mysterious gesture that is not immediately perceived. The candleholder is composed of two identical parts, which can be joined by matching their respective bases or used separately as independent elements. When the two parts are coupled and the candles are lit, two side openings remain uncovered, allowing light to escape as a symbol of hope.

The candleholder was designed as part of “A Flame For Research — Ten Candleholders to Fight Cancer”, a charity project by Mingardo curated by Federica Sala. Through ten one-off pieces auctioned in collaboration with Christie’s, Mingardo supported the Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute.