Royal College of Art graduate Ian McIntyre presented his range of tableware at the graduate show last month, including these cups intended for Chai tea.

Called Jolly project, the vessels were produced using the jollying process, commonly used to manufacture tableware.

The jollying process involves placing clay into a spinning female mould and introducing a male profile, which squeezes the clay between the two surfaces.

By using less clay than is required to fully fill the moulds, each ceramic object is produced with a slightly varied and unique finish around the edges.

The cups were designed in collaboration with Jasleen Kaur for her Chai tea stall.

The range includes plates, bowls and cups in a variety of colours.

Read more about projects from this years' graduate shows in special category.

Here's some more information from McIntyre:

Jolly Project

This project explores the aesthetics created when the clay does not fully fill the moulds. The results are a fascinating mix of machine-made and 'natural' qualities - even after firing, the edge detail captures the clay's original plasticity. By revealing the inherent and unique quality of the clay, I hope to produce a product that gives the material and process greater value.

Chai Tea Cup

‘Jollying’ is an industrial process used to manufacture tableware. A piece of clay is placed into a spinning female mould and a male profile is introduced, squeezing the clay between the two surfaces. Mould and profile come together and any excess clay squeezed out by the process is trimmed off. This project explores the aesthetics created when the clay does not fully fill the moulds. The results are a fascinating mix of machine-made and ‘natural’ qualities – the edge detail captures the clay’s original plasticity. Although industrially produced, each is different and a quality is created that is inherent and unique to ceramic.

The cups were designed in collaboration with Jasleen Kaur for her chai tea stall.

Travelling chai tea stall

The travelling Chai Tea stall functions as a mobile business and is a way of engaging with different communities by creating a temporary environment in public spaces. The product is the food and the tools by which it is made, served and eaten. Together they provide the common ground which allows me to have the same conversation, be it in Southall or South Kensington.

When my great granddad moved to Britain in 1950 he made a living from selling goods door to door from a home-made cart. Through hard graft this began the chain of hardware shops now run by my family in Glasgow. The aim is to grow the business and rig up the stall in three wheeler Tuk Tuks and sell cups of proper Chai in and around the city.

See also:

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Neolastic Vases by Studio Sjoerd Jonkers	Pixel Mould by Julian Bond	special category