Maison Fontaine et YMER&MALTA

At first glance, a door handle is merely a functional object. Yet behind this architectural detail lie centuries of expertise, formal exploration and craftsmanship.

Founded in 1740, Maison Fontaine has made decorative hardware its speciality, building up a repertoire of thousands of designs over the centuries, enriched by contributions from leading figures in the decorative arts, from Ruhlmann and Puiforcat to Bourdelle and Maillol. Today, the Parisian house continues this dialogue with contemporary creation, inviting Valérie Maltaverne, founder of the YMER&MALTA studio, to design a new collection of decorative hardware.

Since 2008, YMER&MALTA has explored the boundaries between design, art and craftsmanship. Under the artistic direction of Valérie Maltaverne, the studio develops pieces that question the properties of materials and push the limits of traditional techniques. Marble, wood, textiles and metal become fields of experimentation, often drawing inspiration from organic forms. This approach resonates particularly strongly with Maison Fontaine, which is committed to preserving its expertise while renewing its aesthetic vocabulary. “We wanted to bring Maison Fontaine into the present without ever compromising its heritage. Collaborating with Valérie Maltaverne felt like a natural choice, given how closely our creative worlds and commitments align,” explains Antoine Douville, Deputy Managing Director of the house.

For this first collaboration, the designer turned her attention to the scarab beetle, whose oval silhouette and enveloping curves guided the design of the pieces. A symbol of protection and good fortune since Antiquity, the insect inspires a subtle formal language, free from any literal representation. The collection brings together nearly forty elements, from door and cabinet knobs to escutcheons, casement bolts, window fasteners and door knockers. Each is a variation on the same form, adapted to the technical requirements and specific uses of the object. “This is the first time I have approached design through such a specific vocabulary, applied across different elements of architectural hardware. This constraint became a source of inspiration,” says Valérie Maltaverne.

This exploration required close collaboration with Maison Fontaine’s in-house design and engineering department. For the first time, the house turned to 3D printing to produce prototypes for the collection. This stage made it possible to test volumes, adjust proportions and refine details before production. Once the forms had been approved, the pieces were entrusted to various specialised French workshops. Foundry work produces the initial castings, turning ensures dimensional precision, while chasing and polishing refine the details and surfaces. Here, contemporary tools do not replace traditional craftsmanship, but extend its possibilities.

Crafted from solid brass, the collection is available in nine finishes, including medal bronze, brushed nickel, polished chrome and matte gold plating. Each treatment alters the perception of volume and the way light plays across the material. Designed for both residential interiors and hospitality projects, these pieces reflect a particular attention to the elements we handle every day, often without giving them a second glance.

With YMER&MALTA, Maison Fontaine thus reconnects with a tradition of artistic collaborations that has run throughout its history. A reminder that passing on craftsmanship is not simply a matter of reproducing historical designs, but also of giving it new forms of expression. The collection will be unveiled from 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the Salon International du Patrimoine Culturel, held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. •

photos : © Maison Fontaine