candelabra cups by aimee whitehead from uk

My design is based on the mundane tea cup and mug form, but with a twist. I wanted to use the cup and mug shape, because the primary focus of these objects is on practicality not aesthetic design. I have turned the focus away from its typical practicality onto the cup as a design feature.
I wanted a table centre piece that would play on the idea of a romantic candle lit dinner. The silhouette design of a candelabra, the candle lighting traditionally used for a romantic dinner, has been pierced from sections of the sides and flat top of my pieces. I have also used brush waxed areas to give a different thickness of the clay and quality to the light.
My design is slip cast from porcelain to give the clay a translucency. The pieces have a hole in their bases so the cup can slot over a candle to light the inside and emphasise the candelabra design.
The tea cups would have simple saucer on which the candle would go to protect the table from heat. They could be used a single piece or stacked to create a more elaborate centrepiece.
I like the idea that initially you may not realise the true purpose of my pieces, your first thought is that it’s simply a cup or mug.