Janus Lab Italy
Three Cup for Spirits _ Piatto
Three Cup for Spirits _ Piatto
In Taoism, offering cups—often filled with tea, water, or wine—are used in ceremonies where the specific contents represent different energies. In the three-cup ritual, for instance, the cups hold water (Yang), tea (Yin), and rice (the union of Yin and Yang). These cups are part of the offerings, or jingxiang, which may also include incense, flowers, and fruit, depending on the deity and the nature of the ritual.
The contents of the cups symbolize the balance of Yin and Yang, the fundamental forces of the universe. The number of cups and their contents can vary according to the occasion and the deity being honored. Offering three cups expresses sincerity and respect toward the gods and ancestors through the practice of jingxiang.
Recently, while in Taiwan, I took part in the daily ritual of refreshing the three cups of water—an offering to the spirits or ancestors of the household. Reflecting on the symbolism of the three cups as a unity, and inspired by natural patterns reminiscent of a turtle’s shell, I created a plate for ancestral offerings.
Shadows of enamel in olive and dark green, together with the interplay of copper oxidation and transparent enamel on a polished copper surface, evoke a natural texture—alive, organic, and in quiet harmony with the ritual’s spirit.
Enamel - Le Grand Feu
“Smalti a Fuoco_ Un’arte di Sottecchio”
The art of fire enameling is an ancient and highly complex craft.
Rooted in precise gestures and knowledge acquired over time, it has, through the centuries, transformed simple metals—such as copper or silver—into objects of great value and artistic significance.
Today, it is largely confined to a few specialized creations and is often mistaken for industrially produced items or those made with polymer-based enamels. As a result, it remains mostly associated with traditionally styled aesthetic prototypes.
Only in rare cases has it broken free from classical aesthetics, giving rise to modern works crafted using ancient techniques—thanks to great, though now nearly forgotten, artisans.
These are the foundations of our own deeply personal journey: not only a rediscovery of enamel’s potential, but also a search for a new, contemporary language—one that reimagines how fire enameling can still express beauty and sophistication today.