Small Arts & Crafts Ashtray & Matchbox Holder, Hugo Berger, Goberg, Germany. Circa 1910s.

The ‘Pewter Plastic Cup’ is the second addition to Adam's ’Throwaways’ series which began in 2022 with the ‘Polybloc Chair‘. He has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to designing this collection that aims to challenge our interactions with design-to-discard everyday objects that are often overlooked. Naturally, he has become quite fond of these plastic products over the years. However, this project is not only fuelled by simple nostalgia, but also frustration from bad-faith copying that is rife in the design industry.

100% lead-free and food-safe pewter. Hand washing recommended.

The choice of alloy here - pewter - is something that Adam is particularly fond of, and with it comes a British heritage craft that is severely endangered. For a metal, it is exceptionally soft despite being 100% lead-free and will patinate beautifully over time. For this reason, these pieces are provided hand-washed but not polished or buffed. You are encouraged to use these as rigorously as you like, to see little dents and scratches appear naturally. Any existing marks from the incredible Victorian-era machines and hand tools used to produce these are kept fully on show to celebrate the craft that has been passed down over generations. Brian, who has over 55 years of experience metal spinning for A. R. Wentworth, is solely responsible for every single tactile groove you see and touch, as well as that crucial rolled edge.

Adam is always proud to showcase exactly where his designs are made, being of the belief that gatekeeping traditional craftspeople will only continue to contribute to the demise of British manufacturing. All Wentworth touchmarks can be seen engraved to the underside of each cup that is made, so that you always have the reminder of the skill, knowledge and history that makes up a part of every piece.