Ornamental Crime | Crafted to be treasured

Ornamental Crime is a vintage ceramics marketplace based in Singapore that believes in the power of the stories objects carry. More than just curators, they preserve the narratives behind each piece, helping them find new homes where they’ll be truly cherished.

The brand’s name is a witty nod to the essay Ornament and Crime by Austrian architect Adolf Loos, who harshly criticized ornamentation in utilitarian objects—almost treating it as a crime. The founder has always felt this tension in her own ceramic practice—decoration seemed like a barrier, as if something was holding back the addition of curves and color. But these artistic details are precisely what make vintage ceramics so unique. Ornamental Crime celebrates the expressiveness of ornament and its power to bring soul to objects.

Our challenge was to create a brand that honors this connection between the artisanal and the timeless—inviting a closer look at the details. Each piece carries authenticity, beauty, and a story worth telling.