Icelandic studio Hlutagerðin has designed this leather and lambskin armour to keep teapots warm and protect tablets from coffee table scrapes (+ slideshow).

Hlutagerðin based the Armour and Shield covers on the battle armour once worn by ancient Icelandic warriors, designed to withstand harsh conditions and freezing winters.

Sourcing lambskin from their home region, the Icelandic designers used the material to create a robust tea cosy along with a case for iPads and other tablet devices.

The Armour tea cosy wraps around the teapot, with the lamb's leather on the outside and wool facing inward to provide insulation and retain warmth inside the teapot.

"We chose to work with lambskin because it's a material that has kept Icelanders warm for centuries," designer Elín Bríta said.

Roughly-cut leather is stitched together at the handle with thick elastic cord, creating a snug fit against the porcelain teapot.

The leather has been boiled down in a traditional technique used to create battle armour, which makes it tougher and more durable.

"Icelandic tea traditions were another inspiration for this project," Bríta explained. "The concept is born out of tea-brewing; in the same way leaves and hot water combine to make tea, hot water is used to transform the leather."

The cosies are available in different sizes to fit various teapot designs.

In addition, the studio designed the Shield to protect tablet devices from getting scratched in cafes and on coffee tables.

"Nowadays, computers in various forms are becoming a bigger part of our lives, including in particular tea and coffee cultures," Bríta said.

Made using the same technique, the leather shield provides a durable outer shell to encase the tablet.

Inside the case, lambswool acts as padding and continues onto a flap that folds down across the case and is secured with elastic cord.

Other tea-related designs recently featured on Dezeen include teapots by Memphis designer George Sowden, and a Japanese teahouse with an interior that features a subtle cherry blossom print.