Nub Mug
c. 2022
The Nub Mug is inspired by the yokode kyūsu (横手急須) tea pots from Japan. I always thought the side handle was an elegant way to hold and pour from a tea pot so I started trying to adapt it for use as a coffee mug.
The Nub Mug was one of the first ceramic objects I’ve tried to actually refine and replicate.
The best one yet!
What is to become the first real attempt at the Nub Mug design. I wanted to mimic the shape of a teapot so I gave it a bit of a belly. I also wanted the shape to feel good in the hands if you just wanted to hold the cup itself. The curved surface also made it a bit more natural to have the “nub” angled up to mimic the way the teapot handles look.
The first Nub Mug trimmed and fired on the right with two more attempts fresh off the wheel.
The first set of glazed Nub Mugs amongst their friends made by other members of the studio.
I decided that the nubs on the first set of mugs were too small to be really functional. Behold Big Nub 5 in its fired glory. The handle was the largest one I could throw on the wheel that day. It felt way better to hold and a lot more functional to control the pour. Behind it are attempts to replicate the shape and size of Big Nub 5 - one of which became the mug shown the top of the page.
Here’s the best one I’ve made so far. The glaze came out great and the nub is very functional!