Have it delivered hassle-freeBuyer protectionAll Designer items curated by WhoppahDownload the Whoppah App – get alerts & sell with ease.
Raffaele Iannello – Voodoo / The Ex Knife Block, Early Edition (2005)
€300Bid from €150
Buy with confidence
Shop & pay safely with our Buyer ProtectionDesigner items curated by WhoppahWe only pay the seller once you have safely received the itemTrusted payment methods
About this seller
Product description
This knife block is the first commercial edition of the iconic “Voodoo / The Ex” design, launched on the market in 2005 by Viceversa, through Edizioni Design Spa, as confirmed by the designer himself Raffaele Iannello on his official website.
Designed by Raffaele Iannello, Voodoo / The Ex is one of the most recognizable and provocative objects of early-2000s contemporary design.
Iannello is known for a conceptual approach that combines industrial design, irony, and strong visual impact, often transforming everyday functional objects into expressive, sculptural pieces.
With Voodoo / The Ex, the designer deliberately challenged the traditional idea of kitchen accessories, turning a simple knife block into a totemic and narrative object.
The human silhouette pierced by knives is intentionally provocative, playing with themes of ritual, pop culture, and domestic irony, while remaining fully functional. Since its first market release, this object has been widely published and discussed, becoming a distinctive example of early 21st-century design in which storytelling and emotional impact play a central role.
As stated by the designer:
“Presented by the designer as a prototype in 2003, the Voodoo / The Ex knife set was launched on the market in 2005 by the Italian company Edizioni Design Spa (owner of the Viceversa brand) and its Hong Kong branch (Viceversa International Ltd). Conversely, it immediately achieved great commercial success with this product designed by Raffaele Iannello, so much so that it even used it as a representative image on the cover of the official catalog of all its products and also depicted it on the t-shirts of the hostesses at the various fairs in which it attended with its own stand.
The problems exploded in 2006, when the designer, after a year of waiting and reminders, demanded that he be paid all the back royalties which, by agreement, should have been paid every 3 months and which up to that moment had never been paid. To enforce the agreements he was forced to sue the company.”
This statement clearly identifies the present object as part of the earliest production run, preceding later re-editions and anniversary versions, and directly connected to the initial commercial history of the designThe sculptural figure is structurally intact, with no cracks or breaks.
There are marks and surface marks consistent with age and normal use, fully in line with an approximately 20-year-old design object.
The knives are intact.
The most delicate parts of this delightful object are the transparent plastic blade guards. In particular, the bread knife guard shows some play and must be correctly positioned and secured when inserting the knife.
The transparent protective plastics show visible cracks and breakages, clearly documented in the photos.
The magnetic system holding the knives in place is fully functional.
Dimensions
Height: approx. 39 cm
Base width: approx. 26 cm
Depth with knives inserted: approx. 43 cmThis object represents the first edition released in 2005, directly connected to the initial commercial phase of the project.
Early Viceversa productions are today increasingly difficult to find in complete condition, particularly with all original knives present, and are regarded for their relevance within early-2000s contemporary design.
Offered in its original configuration, this example clearly expresses the narrative and sculptural approach that made Voodoo / The Ex a distinctive design object of its time.
Please note that color tones and surface appearance may vary slightly due to lighting conditions, camera settings, and screen calibration.
This item is original, vintage, and pre-owned, and shows signs of age consistent with its production period.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsRed, SilverMaterialPlastic, Polished steelNumber of items1Height39 cmWidth26 cmDepth43 cmSigns of usageCrack
Discover more
Seller information
About this seller
Imbersago, ItalyOn Whoppah since January 2026 • 0 sales