54 Belly Button Cup

With a small sphere in the center, this is the so-called “Navel Cup”! Its charming appearance is sure to draw the attention of everyone gathered around the table! Not only can you enjoy it filled with drinks, but it can also be used to serve salad or hold fruit. In the warmer months, it would also be lovely to use it like a soba cup.

Turn over a cup by Yasuhiko Takahashi, and you will notice a small “ponte” mark. A ponte is an iron rod attached to the bottom of the cup using a small amount of glass as glue in order to widen the mouth of the piece. This charming feature, which can also look like a navel, is a remnant of the hot-shop glassblowing process and serves as proof of its handmade nature. By deliberately leaving this ponte mark, Takahashi makes you look forward to seeing the underside of the cup as well.

Diameter: Approx. 8 cm / Height: Approx. 9 cm / Capacity: Approx. 300 ml (when filled to the brim)
As this is an artist’s work, individual pieces will vary.

*Not made of heat-resistant glass
*Not dishwasher-safe
*As all pieces are handmade by glassblowing, irregularities such as bumps on the surface or inside, as well as bubbles, may occur during production. These will not affect use in any way and are unique to handmade pieces.
*We do not accept returns or refunds under any circumstances. Please ensure you understand this before purchasing.

【Yasuhiko Takahashi Profile】
Born in Tokyo in 1958. Graduated from Tama Art University in 1980, majoring in Product Design in the Craft Design Course of the Department of Design, Faculty of Art, and majoring in Three-Dimensional Design. After serving as a research assistant in the Three-Dimensional Design Department at the same university, he honed his glassmaking skills as an assistant at the Glasthaus am Wasserturm studio (Reichenbach, Germany) from 1982 to 1984. Opened his studio in Sagamihara in 1985. Served as a professor at Tama Art University until the end of March 2022.