Indonesian design brand Rêmên has received the 2025 LIT Lighting Design Award in the Decorative Accent Lamp category for its ROH Table Lamp, a piece inspired by the cultural symbolism of ancient Chinese burial coins found across Java.

While accent lamps are often characterised by bold or eye-catching forms, the ROH Table Lamp takes a more restrained approach. The design draws attention through material choice and conceptual intent, rather than overt form. At its centre is a hand-blown red glass core representing ROH, or the "unseen spirit", which serves as both the visual and symbolic focus of the piece.

The lamp reinterprets Chinese burial coins, objects historically used to guide souls to the afterlife, but now largely regarded as archaeological artefacts. By incorporating these coins into a contemporary lighting object, Rêmên explores how design can revisit and reinterpret culturally forgotten objects while maintaining the narratives embedded within them.

Named after the word ROH, meaning "the unseen spirit", the lamp adopts a lantern-like form inspired by the belief that lanterns guide spirits to the next realm. The burial coins are positioned as central design elements, reflecting the dual symbolism they carry: fortune in the afterlife and misfortune in the world of the living. Through this contrast, the design invites viewers to reconsider how meaning can shift depending on cultural and contextual perspectives.

The ROH Table Lamp also incorporates cultural sustainability through the upcycling of Chinese burial coins, preserved in their original condition, including their distinctive green patina. Minimal material treatment is used to maintain authenticity and integrity.

“The lamp is produced through local metalwork and hand-blown glass, with most components crafted by artisans, rather than mass-produced, supporting local craftsmanship and a sustainable production process,” said Sylviana Putri, Rêmên's founder.

Looking ahead, Rêmên plans to expand its collections by exploring other facets of cultural heritage through contemporary design. The brand is currently developing a new collection that combines human characteristics with Indonesian local wood carving, as it continues to position storytelling and cultural continuity at the centre of its design practice.

LIT Lighting Design Award is an international program organized by 3C Awards in Switzerland that recognizes excellence in lighting design worldwide. The 2025 edition attracted more than 1,000 entries from 62 countries. Rêmên’s ROH Table Lamp was selected in the Decorative Accent Lamp category, which highlights lighting works with strong visual presence and conceptual clarity.

For Rêmên, the award marks an important milestone for the young brand, which launched in February 2025 and is gaining international recognition for its design approach.

“This recognition affirms our idealism, authenticity, and creative direction on a global stage, and motivates us to keep moving forward,” added Sylviana Putri.