Japanese studio Nendo has designed a set of bowls that appear "as if one is growing out of the other" for Chinese lifestyle brand Zens, along with a "seemingly unbalanced" tea set that hides under its lid.
The tableware, called Fungi, comprises seven bowls of different sizes that can be arranged in various ways to hold both food and objects.
Fungi comprises seven bowls of different sizesThe designers chose the unusual name because of the way the bowls, when stacked, seem to be growing out of each other like fungi.
"When combined, the bowls almost appear as if one is growing out of the other, or sprouting from the edge of another, reminiscent of the growth of mushrooms," said Nendo.
The bowls can be arranged in various ways to hold both food and objectsThe larger bowls are intended to be used to serve or display fruit, whilst the smaller can carry dips or sauces. The collection includes shallow bowls that could be used to float candles on liquid, or for other decorative uses, and bowls with deeper sides to contain flowers.
When stacked, the bowls seem to be growing out of each other like fungiPlank has a similarly surprising appearance, as it is a "tea set that is secretly hiding under a seemingly unbalanced over-sized lid".
The designers wanted to play with the idea that the lid of a tea pot is usually the least important element, so they turned this on its head.

"The lid is normally considered as a supporting ro...