Native to South Africa, calla lilies derive their name from the Greek word kallos, meaning “beauty.” An apt name, they feature a lovely white petal and elegantly colored florets, which are usually pink, orange, or yellow. A gestural, simple shape, wrought by eons of evolution to be the exact dimensions it’s happiest at. A stroke of petal in space, the Flor de Bronce Collection of lighting by L’Aviva Home takes its roots from the famous flower.
Drawing inspiration from both botanical beauty and traditional craftsmanship, Flor de Bronce reimagines the calla lily in cast bronze – capturing the tension between fragility and strength, softness and structure. Designed by Laura Aviva and her studio, the collection distills the quiet power of the flower into two lighting fixtures: the Lirio Pendant and the Capullo Sconce. Though sculptural and dramatic, each piece exudes restraint, their fluid forms echoing the natural architecture of the lily without overwhelming the space.
The collection is deeply grounded in Mexican culture and artistry. The calla lily is a powerful symbol, one that appears frequently in Mexican markets, rituals, and art. Artists like Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo famously turned to the flower for its emotional resonance and visual clarity. With Flor de Bronce, Aviva continues that tradition, translating the flower’s form – and the layered meanings it carries – into solid, expressive bronze.
That material choice is critical to the collection’s identity. Cast using the lost wax method at a foundry in Mexico City, each piece begins as a hand-sculpted wax model, later transformed into molten bronze poured into ceramic molds. The result is lighting with subtle surface variations and artisanal fingerprints – traces of process that lend the designs their tactile richness. “We wanted to explore how something so weighty could feel so light,” says Aviva. “Bronze gives us that opportunity. It’s both grounded and ethereal.”
Each fixture is available in three distinctive patinas, each with its own mood and visual texture: Brasa, a warm, flame-treated bronze finish; Verdigris, a naturally oxidized green that suggests age and transformation; and Sepia, an earthy, moody dark bronze developed through layered oxidization. These finishes highlight the sculptural contours of the pieces and allow the bronze to age gracefully over time.
The Lirio Pendant can hang in numbers or alone, suggesting a feeling of growth and expansion. A playful take on materiality, these light, airy figures are unique by design. As the soft glow emanating from the understated curve of the cover, the reflections almost resemble the florets of the calla lily. The warmth of this delightful detail is underlined by the cool burnishing of the exterior, careful to respect the original design.
The Capullo Sconce is a lovely example of the joys of hand-patina. Each one has a beautiful texture, and when hung together or even in separate parts of the house, there is a delicate difference to where objects live, no two exactly alike. Especially so with the Flor de Bronce collection, successfully marrying organic form with sumptuous texture.
Led by founder and creative director Laura Aviva, New York City and Mexico City-based L’Aviva Home tells stories through what they do, investigating entrenched values and questioning if things could be done differently. A deep relationship with craftsmanship and culture shapes their products, working closely with artisans to center the voices of the workers, and celebrate the hands that keep the lights on. Appreciating the world through a humanist lens is essential to understanding L’Aviva Home, respectful collaboration at the center of their work.
To learn more about the Flor de Bronce Collection by L’Aviva Home, visit laviviahome.com.
Photography by Alejandro Ramirez Orozco.