This "Kastor" pencil sharpener, designed by Rodrigo Torres in 2013 for Alessi, is a playful yet practical desktop accessory. This charming sharpener, shaped like a small beaver ("castoro" in Italian), is crafted to appear as if it’s ready to gnaw on the tip of a pencil. With meticulous attention to detail, Torres has brought the beaver’s character to life: from the shape of its eyes and teeth to its paws and tail, each element contributes to the animal’s recognizable form. Kastor is not only visually captivating but highly functional. The sharpener mechanism, crafted by Staedtler a leading German company known for quality stationery ensures excellent sharpening performance. Located in the upper part of the beaver’s head, the sharpener is easy to use: simply insert the pencil into Kastor's "mouth" to sharpen it effortlessly. Thanks to its solid construction, Kastor also serves as an ideal paperweight, offering a practical two-in-one solution for the workspace. The body of Kastor is carefully constructed in two halves that fit seamlessly together. The lower half provides a stable base, and a removable stopper made from thermoplastic rubber is located at the base, allowing for convenient disposal of shavings and protecting any surface it rests on. With its soft lines, zoomorphic shape, and functional design, Kastor embodies Torres's vision of infusing playful design language into everyday objects. This thoughtfully designed item is not only a reliable tool but also a conversation piece that brings a touch of nature-inspired charm to any desk. This ‘’Kastor’’ Pencil sharpener is in a new and unused condition delivered with original packaging. About Alessi: Alessi, a renowned Italian design brand founded in 1921 Giovanni Alessi, has become a symbol of cutting-edge design and innovative craftsmanship, especially in Postmodernism and Contemporary design as well as some Bauhaus objects. Over the decades, it has collaborated with iconic designers such as Alessandro Mendini, Aldo Rossi, Achille Castiglioni, Ettore Sottsass (a founder of the Memphis group), Michael Graves, Marcel Wanders, Richard Sapper, Zaha Hadid, the Bouroullec brothers, Tom Kovac, Toyo Ito, Jean Nouvel, Ron Arad, and Gio Ponti. These collaborations have cemented Alessi's reputation for creating timeless, functional pieces that double as works of art. The most celebrated design is Philippe Starck's Juicy Salif citrus squeezer, which almost became Alessi’s brand symbol in the minds of design lovers. This makes Alessi a brand with high impact and rich marriage with fundamental design DNA. More recently, a collaboration with Virgil Abloh's creative agency infused a fresh, modern sensibility into Alessi’s offerings. About Rodrigo Torres: Born in Bogota, Colombia in 1976, he graduated from the Faculty of Industrial Design at the University of Bogota, and studied for a Master's in Design at the Domus Academy of Milan. In 1997 he won the Santo Domingo prize for the best Colombian design students. Between 2000 and 2004 he worked as a designer for the Giovannoni design studio. He has been a professor at the Domus Academy of Milan and the European Design Institute of Turin. He has held conferences at various universities in Italy and Colombia. He lives and works in Milan.