Milan 2014: Spanish designer Jaime Hayón has created a tableware collection of vessels with metal stands that reference the pottery and architecture of ancient Rome.

Jaime Hayón's New Roman collection for Italian brand Paola C is a series of containers in shapes that reference the forms of ancient carafes, plates and large amphorae storage vessels. It was exhibited at Paola C's showroom in Brera during Milan design week.

"Inspired by the vessels of the Roman Empire, this collection transforms antique references into a celebration of contemporary craft," said Hayon Studio.

These containers were often originally created with rounded bottoms, so Hayón designed a set of metal stands his designs to stand up on their own.

Each round-bottomed vessel is made from either metal, ceramic or glass and sits on pedestals in a range of metals, creating a contrast of different textures.

The largest piece in the collection is Colosseum, a large silver-plated bowl atop a brushed brass base shaped like the famous amphitheatre in Rome. There are two smaller versions of Colosseum as well as other plates on simpler bases.

Titus is a vase that sits on a metal stand with four skinny legs. It is available in pale-coloured glass, silver, copper or ceramic, while the base comes in four types of metal.

Titus is also available in various sizes and with the option of two handles, resembling the amphorae used to transport and store mostly wine by the Romans.

One of the vessels, Aether, is an oil lamp that comes in either copper or polished ceramic and rests on a brushed brass or copper stand.

Hayón has also created Sagunto, a polished ceramic candle holder with a brushed brass base.

The only object without a separate base is Augustus, a large silver-plated pitcher decorated by Hayón with a comic smiling face.

Jaime Hayón also presented a table for furniture company Republic of Fritz Hansen in Milan last week.

Photography is by Klunderbie, unless otherwise stated.