Milan 2014: design duo Formafantasma is presenting a collection of engraved drinking glasses that form new patterns when stacked together, at an exhibition curated by Rossana Orlandi in Milan

Commissioned by the MAK Museum in Vienna and produced by Austrian brand J.& L. Lobmeyr, the Alphabet collection of glasses and a carafe by Formafantasma are engraved with twelve different patterns.

The etchings reference motifs found in both J.& L. Lobmeyr's archive and at the Geymüllerschlössel castle, in which the museum is housed.

Placed upside-down on the table one inside another, any two engraved patterns will combine to form a new pattern.

Delicate gold lines on each glass suggest the correct alignment. The bigger glass protects the smaller one like a crystal dome used to cover a still life composition.

"The design highlights the pleasure of diversity within a set of objects while revisiting the rules of table setting," said Formafantasma.

The pieces were originally created for a site-specific installation called The Stranger Within for the Dining Room of Geymüllerschlössel.

They will be shown at the Rossana Orlandi-curated Bagatti Valsecchi exhibition, Via Gesù 5, in Milan from 8 to 13 April.