Cub-ar’s story begins on the slopes of Mount Ararat – the site where Noah’s Ark is believed to have ran aground. It is here where some of the greatest stores of obsidian stone are found. Dating back some million years, this rare gem was formed through the vitrification of acidic lava. Its historical importance runs the gamut from Stone Age tools and a rediscovery by the Roman explorer Obsidius – after whom it’s named – to Ancient Egypt, including an appearance in Tutankhamun’s funeral mask. Mount Ararat’s obsidian is particularly precious, at times displaying a colourful spectrum in addition to the archetypal inky black and a translucency when sliced that shows off its bespoke striping. Cub-ar founder Michel der Agobian is a disciple of age-old stonecutting traditions and creates the studio’s desk accessories with finishes as exacting as fine jewellery.