Inspired by the hosta leaves from my mother’s garden. Her friend Sally Pettus, who’s an amazing sculptor used to sculpt the dry wrinkled forms of hosta leaves with their deep and exaggerated vein structures. Then they were cast in bronze for water garden and fountain sculptures around the world. It’s also inspired by old Nordic ships and birds.

It’s deep cavernous hollow makes it perfect for sipping drinks, and it’s wider undercut rim makes this cup less splashy than other kuksas. It has a very wide scalloped rim that makes sipping very comfortable on the lip.

The curves on this cup are so beautiful that I had to photograph it in different light to illustrate how well the facets dance between light and shadow. The top of the cup features a gorgeous “S” curve from the tip of the cup all the way down the handle. The rim of the cup is scalloped so it contours to your lips perfectly, with just the right shape as to not let any drops dribble down the bowl side.

Carved with care and will age beautifully overtime from your hands rubbing over the surface. They are really comforting to hold and let your fingers wander over as you ponder your favorite brew. It feels much like a touch stone, something you will want to hold and play with even when the cup is empty. It’s honestly one of the best cups I’ve ever carved and pushed my skills to the limit. It’s graceful, evenly thin and tapered strong walls, following the grain perfectly. It fits in the hand just right.

This will change your drinking experience for the rest of your life, and everything I carve is meant to last multiple generations. If you’ve been waiting a couple years for me to starting carving kuksas again, now is your chance to purchase a cup and begin your journey into kuksa dreamland.

As you can see in the photos there is a beautiful dark knot where the tree had a branch growing and eventually healed it off the knot does not run through the walls of the cup so I deem this kuksa sea worthy. I’ve reduced the price on this one for that reason.

1. Just about 7.5-8oz

2. Figured Silver Maple

3. Finished with a my own oil blend (Food Safe Linseed , Beeswax, and Citrus)

*Please note that this is a freshly carved cup. I’ve given it multiple coats of oil which are still drying and will require a little bit more time to harden or cure which gives my cups a lasting a durable finish that will help keep the wood from absorbing moisture. It’s advised that you let the cup sit for a couple weeks in it’s new home before pouring liquids into them.