Maya
Maya is recognised by its wide, strong handle, which narrows into a triangular transition toward the functional part.
Maya is recognised by its wide, strong handle, which narrows into a triangular transition toward the functional part. Rounded edges and a broad grip give the series a clear, sculptural silhouette.
About the series
€1.056,09
€1.398,64
Maya, considered for the table
Series guide
Questions about Maya
How did a piece of cutlery designed in 1962 become a Scandinavian design classic?
Tias Eckhoff designed Maya for Norstaal in 1962, combining a broad handle, a distinctive triangular narrowing and softly rounded edges. The result was unusually recognisable yet highly functional, and Maya has remained in production and at the table for more than six decades.
Why is the triangle the secret behind Maya?
The handle begins broad and strong before narrowing towards the functional end in a triangular transition. That geometry gives Maya its unmistakable silhouette, but it also contributes to the generous grip and comfortable feeling in the hand. Form and ergonomics emerge from the same design decision.
What is the difference between Maya and Maya 2000?
Both were designed by Tias Eckhoff and share the same triangular design DNA, but Maya is the shorter and broader original. The Maya dinner knife measures 20.0 cm, the fork 17.7 cm and the spoon 18.0 cm. Maya 2000 extends these to 22.0 cm, 20.2 cm and 20.5 cm respectively. Maya therefore feels more compact and substantial, while Maya 2000 has a longer, slimmer and more streamlined expression.
How does an everyday fork find its way into the world’s design museums?
Maya developed a significance far beyond the dining table. Stelton notes that the series received both the Good Design Prize and the Classic Award for Good Design from the Norwegian Design Council, became part of Phaidon Design Classics and has been exhibited at institutions including MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Why does the original Maya still look relevant more than sixty years later?
Because its identity was never dependent on decoration or a passing fashion. Eckhoff built Maya around proportion, grip and a simple geometric principle. The broad handles and rounded edges still feel distinctive today, while the restrained stainless-steel expression allows the design to move naturally between generations of table settings.