Double-Walled Tumblers by Arnout Visser & Erik Jan Kwakkel

Arnout Visser & Erik Jan Kwakkel
Double-Walled Tumblers, 1997

At first glance, the tumblers appear minimal and understated, but their construction is remarkably sophisticated. Each piece is made of two ceramic layers fused during firing, creating an insulating air pocket between the inner and outer walls. This keeps hot drinks warm while keeping the cup comfortable to hold — something that felt both surprising and inventive at the time.

The contrast between the smooth glazed interior and the soft matte exterior gives the tumblers a tactile, almost handcrafted quality. Rather than focusing on decoration, the beauty of the design comes from its material honesty and thoughtful functionality.

When the project was first introduced, the production process was considered nearly impossible by manufacturers due to the technical challenges involved in fusing the ceramic layers together. Yet the result became one of the most recognisable examples of experimental Dutch design from the 1990s and anticipated the popularity of double-walled drinkware years before it became common.