float | teaware

float | teaware

float is a line of thermally resistant glassware with simple forms and clean lines that emphasize the expressive colours and charms of the tea, spirits and other liquids within. The glassware is handcrafted by master glassblowers in the Czech Republic from the finest borosilicate glass, an extremely pure and chemically inert material that is resistant to thermal shock. This allows float to be used safely with boiling hot or icy cold liquids.

The suspended bowl creates a lens of liquid colour, projecting hues of light onto the table below, and insulates your hands from your beverage. When used for a chilled drink, beads of condensation will gather on the underbelly of the bowl, adding delicacy to the optical effect rather than making rings on the tabletop.

float tea lantern, the collection’s signature piece, is a tea pot named for the quality of light transmitted through the tea by the warming candle. The lantern is made with a double glass wall, enclosing a vacuum to provide thermal insulation. The insulated wall allows for the simple form of a cylinder without a handle—simply hold and pour the way you would a wine bottle.

Design by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen

available products:

float tea lantern | double walled tea pot

This teapot takes its name from the light transmitted through the tea by the warming candle. float tea lantern is made with a double glass wall, which encloses a vacuum to provide thermal insulation for hot or cold beverages. The insulated wall allows for the clean form of a cylinder without a handle—simply hold and pour the way you would a wine bottle.

The tealight candle burning below the lantern keeps tea hot for hours and emits warm, ambient light as it passes through the suspended tea. The colour, fragrance, and warmth of the tea create a wonderful sensory experience.

The original float tea lantern was designed in 2001 as part of a study to create simple and beautiful objects from a sole material. Inspiration for the tea lantern came from the idea that a small everyday object could define an intimate place of gathering or contemplation through qualities of light, warmth, aroma, and taste. Master glassblowers in the Czech Republic handcraft each piece from the finest German borosilicate glass. This extremely pure and chemically inert material is resistant to thermal shock, allowing float to be safely used with both hot and cold liquids.

product dimensions:

small tea lantern · 10.2 inches (260 millimeters) tall x 3.2-inch (80-millimeter) diameter
large tea lantern · 13 inches (330 millimeters) tall x 3.8-inch (95-millimeter) diameter

float tea cup | double walled glassware

From the float glassware collection, this little tea cup is a perfect size for tea, scotch, white wine, juice, or coffee. The suspended bowl performs the practical function of insulating hand from beverage and casts a colourful pattern of refracted light. When used for a chilled drink, small beads of condensation accumulate on the underbelly of the bowl, adding delicate beauty to the optical effect rather than making rings on the tabletop.

Each piece of float glassware is handcrafted by master glassblowers in the Czech Republic from the finest German borosilicate glass. This extremely pure and chemically inert material is resistant to thermal shock, allowing all float glassware to be used safely with both hot and cold liquids.

sold in sets of two

7.5 fluid ounces (220 milliliters)
3.2 inches (80 millimeters) tall x 3.2-inch (80-millimeter) diameter

float sugar + cream | double walled glassware

The sugar + cream set was designed to accompany float tea lantern and tea cups. The large set includes one sugar bowl with a lid and one creamer with a delicate spout. The small set is a more personal serving size; a matching pair of vessels with spouts for pouring milk, honey, cream, sugar, or syrup. Both sizes are versatile for serving sauces and the small set is perfect for measuring out cocktails. 

Each piece of float glassware is handcrafted by master glassblowers in the Czech Republic from the finest German borosilicate glass. This extremely pure and chemically inert material is resistant to thermal shock, allowing all float glassware to be used safely with both hot and cold liquids.

sold in sets of two pieces

product dimensions:

small sugar + cream · 2.7 inches (68 millimeters) tall x 1.7-inch (44-millimeter) diameter
sugar + cream · 3.2 inches (80 millimeters) tall x 3.2-inch (80-millimeter) diameter

float matcha bowl | double walled glassware

Inspired by the ritual beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony, float matcha bowl is made in dimensions that accommodate the traditional bamboo whisk used to froth the tea. The bowl doubles as a planter for live orchids and as a serving dish for desserts or soups.

Each piece of float glassware is handcrafted by master glassblowers in the Czech Republic from the finest German borosilicate glass. This extremely pure and chemically inert material is resistant to thermal shock, allowing all float glassware to be used safely with both hot and cold liquids.

sold in sets of one

16 fluid ounces (470 milliliters)
3.8 inches (95 millimeters) tall x 4.3-inch (110-millimeter) diameter