It was during a trip to Hong Kong, specifically after visiting a turquoise mine, that the story of KAM TIN began.
Philippe Rapin, who was already an established gallerist on Quai Voltaire and an expert in decorative arts, was amazed by this precious material and the creative possibilities it inspired. He then decided to establish his workshop, KAM TIN, where a distinctly contemporary collection would be born, enhancing semi-precious stones and rare minerals that would become its signature.
The first pieces exhibited in the early 2010s, cabinets adorned with turquoise and amber cabochons, garnered strong interest from collectors. These pieces quickly entered auctions and set records, such as the turquoise sideboard sold for over 200,000 $ at Christie’s in 2012.
New creations followed, always designed by Philippe Rapin and crafted in unique or limited editions by the master craftsmen of the KAM TIN workshop, located in France and Germany. Gradually, KAM TIN’s creations expanded to include other stones such as tiger’s eye, pyrite, agate, jade, and lapis lazuli, complemented by designs in patinated brass and bronze, like the now-iconic Nuage table or the Octopus stool.
Each model, also available as custom-made pieces, is conceived as a jewelry-like furniture that harmonizes the craftsmanship of handwork with the inherent beauty of the materials used.
Today, Maison Rapin exclusively showcases KAM TIN’s creations at 7 Quai de Conti in Paris, as well as at numerous international art fairs and within the most prestigious auction houses in France and abroad (Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Artcurial, Philips, Piasa…).
Head to this page to discover more about KAM TIN design.