Round Square Teaware by Koan Design

The function of a tea set is fairly simple to achieve. But how does one transcend functionality through decoration that both adds meaning to the object and forms an emotional bond with the user? Chuntso Liu of Koan Design in Taiwan hopes to resolve this question with “Round Square Teaware,” a ceramic set that aims to combine the natural and man-made through a simple and cohesive aesthetic. The inspiration is rooted in a cultural fascination with the relationship between natural and manmade; “Oriental people study the [laws] of the universe and emulate nature, and from that they create objects. On a spiritual level, they also assimilate them into [their] way of life.” While the rounded cups and teapot are an organic and logical shape for holding water, the cube-shaped handles are a tangibly human expression left on the surface that creates a subtle yet striking contrast. Drawing from traditional schools of thought, Koan Design’s Round Square Teaware is clean and modern, well suited for the tea lover in your life no matter their style.