Manoy cup

A blue coloured cup with a white interior, made of melamine under the Melaware brand and designed by New Zealand industrial designer Russell Manoy in 1969 as part of a tableware set for disabled users, with particular reference to those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for children and the elderly. The range included a large and small plate (see AIBDC : 008783 and 008784 respectively), a beaker (see AIBDC : 006616SA, 007774.1 and 007774.2 for other examples) and a set of cutlery consisting of a knife and spoon/fork (see AIBDC : 008786). Melamine was selected for its better than normal break-strength, design flexibility, lightness in weight, hygenic easily cleaned finish and low cost of production. Compression moulded, the simple ergonomic design helped to reduce tooling costs, which was then reflected in the sale price, deliberately kept low for the benefit of pensioners to purchase at an affordable price. Intended to minimise difficulties of handling and manipulation, the cup has no handle, the cantilevered weight being balanced by the base.

moulded: "manoy by Melaware. REGISTERED DESIGN NO 937238. PATENTS PENDING. MADE IN ENGLAND" (base)

AIBDC : 008785