Pretty, dainty, sturdy, glass, bone china, porcelain, ceramic, porcelain — no matter what, teacups are usually great for having tea. Sometimes, though, designers go a bit … uh … off center and … uh … get a bit carried away. This results in teacups that are some of the strangest you’ll ever see. (Some are not included here since they’re… well… just too strange.) Here are a few I found online:
Flying Sparrow Teacups (sold separately)
This pair consists of a “Flying Out” (left) and a “Flying In” (right) cup. I’m guessing it’s a variation of that “glass half empty or half full” test. Not sure which one is supposed to indicate that you’re a more positive thinking person, though. They’re certainly whimsical, very “tweet,” and visually entertaining. So, maybe these aren’t really strange, but they are certainly unusual. (From the NeatoShop.)
Méret Oppenheim’s Fur Teacup and Saucer (Le Déjeuner en fourrure)
Created in 1936 by German-born Swiss artist and photographer Méret Oppenheim, this teacup (her best known piece) is made of real fur and is part of her Surrealist works. She focused on portraying everyday objects in unusual ways. This piece marked the end of her Surrealist efforts. She drifted into works that were somewhat commercial and controversial, including creating copies of this work for sale.
This Teacup Is a Real “Knockout”
Brass knuckles meets white ceramic cup, and they become quite attached to each other! Amazing what a little super glue can do. Actually, I’m not sure how they attached the handle, but the cup is rather intriguing in a strange sort of way. Great for folks who like their tea with a bit of a “punch”!
Teeth Tea Cup
This cup not only looks strange, but it was made in a way unusual for a ceramic object by a designer who likes getting a reaction from people. The cup is 3-D printed where a binder is ejected onto powder, building up layers until the desired shape is achieved. It is then hand-glazed. The design is seen by many to be rather unappetizing (and I tend to be one of them), but it’s great for a gag gift, for your dentist, for Halloween, etc. One caution is that the bottom is more porous than other ceramics, so avoid sitting the cup on a damp surface.
Miu Miu Tea Cup Mary Jane Pumps (just for fun)
No, you can’t drink tea out of these … well, you could maybe, just like you could use them for imbibing some champagne. They’re called “Tea Cup Mary Jane Pumps” because of the teacup handle on the back of the rather high and uncomfortable heels. In both red and black at Saks for the modest price of $695. Hm… I think I’d rather buy a bunch of tea with that money!
Quite an array, and there are lots more. Take a moment to seek them out. They could liven up your tea time.
See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles here.
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