As the experimental arm of Italian brand Serafino Zani, Numa is known for its limited editions, small runs and explorative approach to working with traditional materials. The brand was established in 1999, launching with a collection of pewter objects, before debuting its first limited edition series by the late Ettore Sottsass in 2001 — the first of three with the esteemed Italian designer. Guided by Roberto Zani, the Numa project has produced a number of creations
with a series of diverse materials including pewter, worked wood and Murano glass, often in collaboration with well respected Italian designers, such as Giuseppe Rivadossi and Mario Botta. In 2006, the project delved into the realms of poetry, architecture and philosophy by proposing two literary themes to two giants of Italian culture: the poet Mario Luzi and the philosopher Remo Bodei.