01 THE STORY
From Sketch to Table
The line begins with Tias Eckhoff's study of proportion. In Maya, the handle, transition and functional form are resolved as one continuous object.
02 THE DETAILS
The Details
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.
A note from Tias Eckhoff
Tias Eckhoffs relationship with cutlery became especially important in 1962, when he designed Maya for Norstaal. The broad handle narrows into a triangular form, while rounded edges give the pieces a strong but comfortable grip. The design became one of the defining Scandinavian cutlery patterns of the twentieth century, later entering Phaidon Design Classics and museum collections including MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Eckhoff continued to explore the table through collections including Una, Chaco and Maya 2000, each revisiting proportion, balance and the relationship between strict geometry and softer curves. His work rarely depended on ornament. Character emerged instead from the way an object was refined — slowly, physically and with extraordinary attention to the smallest shifts in form.
“I work slowly, I would like to file on a piece of cutlery for a year.” — Tias Eckhoff
Tias Eckhoff
Questions about Stelton Maya Complete Collection — 74 Pieces / 12 People
What happens when a 1962 design classic takes over an entire table for twelve?
Maya moves from iconic object to complete table language. Across a full twelve-person setting, Tias Eckhoff’s broad handles, triangular narrowing and rounded edges repeat from guest to guest, turning one of Scandinavian design’s most recognisable cutlery ideas into the rhythm of an entire meal.
What is the difference between Maya and Maya 2000?
Both collections were designed by Tias Eckhoff and share the same triangular design DNA, but the original Maya is noticeably shorter and broader. 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.
Why does Maya become even more recognisable when dozens of pieces are placed together?
Because repetition amplifies its geometry. On one fork, the triangular handle is a distinctive detail; across a complete table, the same widening and narrowing form becomes a visual system. The design connects every place setting without needing pattern or ornament.
How does a complete dining set reveal why Maya became a design classic?
A single piece demonstrates the silhouette, but a complete collection shows the strength of the underlying idea. Maya’s geometry adapts across different utensils and functions while remaining immediately recognisable, proving that the design was conceived as a coherent family rather than as one striking object.
How does an everyday table become part of museum design history?
Maya’s significance extends far beyond dining. Stelton notes that the series has received major design recognition, is included in Phaidon Design Classics and has been exhibited at institutions including MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A complete Maya table therefore brings a documented piece of Scandinavian design history into everyday use.