Teaware & Accessories

This teacup takes the classic form of a master’s master teacup with a censer-like profile. The rim flares slightly outward, the belly is full, and the foot ring is steady and well balanced. The overall lines are simple and dignified, lending an elegant presence on the tea table.

The outer wall is painted in blue and white with entwined lotus motifs, with branches and blossoms interwoven, symbolizing continuity and vitality. At the bottom of the interior lies a single lotus, its full bloom and spreading petals representing purity, integrity, and auspiciousness. This design approach of outer complexity and inner simplicity not only enhances its decorative beauty but also carries cultural meanings rooted in Confucian and Buddhist traditions.

The blue coloration is pure and refined, the contrast of blue and white crisp and harmonious, with a glossy and smooth glaze. Whether admired on a desk or used during tea gatherings, it reflects the taste and elegance of its owner.

As a master master teacup, it serves not only as the exclusive tea vessel signifying the host’s role in a tea setting but also as a symbol of etiquette and respect during refined gatherings.

This teacup is made in the style of the Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain, completely handmade and hand painted. The pattern of “一鹭莲科” or “一路连科” in Chinese culture is derived from the beautiful combination of the heron and lotus leaves. As “鹭” (heron) and “路” (path/road) have the same pronunciation, and “莲” (lotus) sounds like “连” (successive/continuous), the name “一路连科” is a play on words that conveys the beautiful meaning of the pattern. In ancient times, successive successful candidates in the imperial examinations were called “连科,” and “一路连科” is a good wish for students to have a smooth career path and achieve success step by step.

For Yuan blue and white porcelain refers to the blue and white porcelain produced during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) in China. The Yuan dynasty was an important period in the history of Chinese porcelain and one of the peaks of Chinese porcelain art. As one of the representatives of that era, Yuan blue and white porcelain exhibited unique artistic styles and technical levels. The characteristic of Yuan blue and white is the use of cobalt blue pigment for painting, which is made of cobalt oxide. After firing, the colour is bright and rich, with extremely high decorative effect. Yuan blue and white porcelain has various shapes, thick and heavy, concise, and fluent lines, and stable and solemn shapes, all made exquisitely.

The evolution of Yuan blue and white is based on the foundation of Tang and Song celadon. Firstly, the glaze colour was improved and innovated. Unique white glaze, eggshell glaze and blue-white glaze were invented to make the glaze crystal clear. Cobalt pigment was imported for glaze colouring. Or using the pigment made from domestic materials.

The formation of tin spots on Yuan blue and white is due to the high content of iron elements in local parts of the blue pigment. After reaching saturation in the high-temperature glaze solution and cooling down, the iron elements in the supersaturated part start to precipitate. If the iron content of the blue pigment is higher and the cooling rate is appropriate, tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware.

In addition to firing and materials, the formation of tin spots also involves the factor of glaze material. During the painting process, tin spots can also be formed due to the accumulation of blue pigment. Tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware at the intersections and the starting and ending points of brushstrokes. The formation of tin spots can be said to be a natural creation or an artificial decoration.

While this Lian Sheng Yuan Xi teacup retains the bold and rich coloration of classic Yuan blue and white porcelain, its tin-spot effect is relatively subtle, giving it a more delicate and refined appearance. The overall aesthetic is graceful and elegant, embodying a scholarly charm. Compared to the traditionally bold and unrestrained Yuan blue and white style, this piece leans towards a more understated and sophisticated aesthetic, blending classic heritage with a softer, more literary elegance. It brings a sense of warmth and refinement to any tea session, offering a harmonious balance between history and artistry.

This Stem Teacup is meticulously handcrafted using the blue-and-white with underglaze red technique. In tea culture, the stem cup symbolizes solemnity and elegance. When using a stem cup for tea tasting, the graceful motion of raising the cup evokes a sense of timeless charm, as if immersed in the serene ambiance of ancient traditions, adding a touch of ritual and intrigue to the tea experience. Besides that, the artwork features camellia flowers, symbolising passion and beauty, often used to convey auspiciousness and blessings for happiness.

Blue-and-White with Underglaze Red (commonly known as “blue-and-purple”) is a ceramic decorative method in which underglaze red designs are added to blue-and-white patterns. Blue-and-white refers to patterns drawn with cobalt oxide, covered with a transparent glaze, and fired at over 1200°C in a reduction atmosphere to produce the characteristic underglaze decoration. Underglaze red uses copper oxide as a colouring agent, painted directly on the clay body (or on clay coated with a transparent white glaze), then covered with a clear glaze. After being placed in a saggar and fired at 1250–1280°C in a strong reduction atmosphere, the high-valence copper is reduced to low-valence copper, creating vivid yet subdued red patterns.

In this technique, underglaze red can be used to decorate the spaces between blue-and-white patterns, resulting in the unique combination known as blue-and-white with underglaze red. This complex process creates a striking artistic effect where blue, red, and white colours complement each other.

The production of blue-and-white with underglaze red ceramics is extraordinarily challenging. Historically, some artisans risked financial ruin in their pursuit of this technique due to its complexity. The difficulty arises because the cobalt (blue) and copper (red) oxides require different reduction temperatures, making it exceptionally hard to control the process. This results in a low success rate, with issues such as “flying red,” where the red and blue merge or the colours become indistinct and blurry.

Despite these challenges, the combination of blue-and-white with underglaze red achieves an unparalleled artistic effect, where the interplay of blue, red, and white elevates the beauty of ceramics to new artistic heights. This stem teacup exemplifies the mastery of this rare and sophisticated craft, making it a stunning and meaningful piece of art.

The style of this super beautiful teacup is Ming, using the underglaze blue technique, and entirely handcrafted and hand painted. The pattern features the classic design of intertwining lotus branches (Chanzhi Lian).

Chanzhi Lian, also known as ‘intertwining lotus branches’ or ‘Interlock Branch Lotus’, is a Chinese decorative motif with the symbolism of “flowers within flowers, blossoms within leaves.” It is also referred to as the “Wanshou Teng,” representing auspiciousness and longevity due to its continuous and interconnected structure, symbolizing the concept of “endless vitality.” In addition, in traditional Chinese Confucian culture, the lotus is seen as the embodiment of truth, goodness, and beauty, as well as a symbol of Buddhism. The pronunciation of “Lian” is similar to the word “continuous” in Chinese, further expressing the idea of continuous growth and conveying positive wishes and emotions.

As part of Chinese traditional ornamentation, Chanzhi Lian has been passed down through generations, reflecting its own beauty and cultural significance with a unique artistic charm. The lotus possesses a sacred and pure temperament, being beautiful without being ostentatious and magnificent without being vulgar. It is precisely because of this aesthetic appeal that Chanzhi Lian has become a decorative pattern applied to various aspects of life.

In addition, the beautiful tin spots on the porcelain add even more unique charm to it. The formation of tin spots is due to the high content of iron elements in local parts of the blue pigment. After reaching saturation in the high-temperature glaze solution and cooling down, the iron elements in the supersaturated part start to precipitate. If the iron content of the blue pigment is higher and the cooling rate is appropriate, tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware.

In addition to firing and materials, the formation of tin spots also involves the factor of glaze material. During the painting process, tin spots can also be formed due to the accumulation of blue pigment. Tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware at the intersections and the starting and ending points of brushstrokes. The formation of tin spots can be said to be a natural creation or an artificial decoration. This tin glazes not only add a rustic texture to the teacup but also imbue it with a unique sense of history.

The delicate brushstrokes and intricate detailing of the painting on this teacup create a distinct sense of aesthetic appeal. The soft and elegant shade of underglaze blue, along with a hint of faint tin glaze, gives it a graceful and ethereal beauty under the light. This teacup exudes a simple yet elegant charm, reminiscent of the style of imitation Ming, making it truly captivating and irresistible.

This master teacup is made in the style of the Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain, completely handmade and hand-painted. The entire painting exudes a strong sense of antiquity, with bold and vigorous lines, and the dragon pattern appears vivid and lifelike.

In Chinese culture, the dragon is a very important symbol and totem with rich symbolism. Firstly, the dragon is one of the most sacred, authoritative, and noble images in ancient Chinese culture. It is the incarnation of the gods of heaven, earth, and water, representing supreme authority and divine power. Secondly, the dragon is considered a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture. As it has the special power to control rainfall, it is also seen as the protector of agriculture, representing a bountiful harvest and prosperity. Additionally, the dragon has many other symbolic meanings, such as longevity, authority, success, courage, and wisdom. In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon is a noble, mysterious, and awe-inspiring image, representing people’s yearning for the unknown and the spirit of exploration.

Besides, for Yuan blue and white porcelain refers to the blue and white porcelain produced during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) in China. The Yuan dynasty was an important period in the history of Chinese porcelain and one of the peaks of Chinese porcelain art. As one of the representatives of that era, Yuan blue and white porcelain exhibited unique artistic styles and technical levels. The characteristic of Yuan blue and white is the use of cobalt blue pigment for painting, which is made of cobalt oxide. After firing, the colour is bright and rich, with an extremely high decorative effect. Yuan blue and white porcelain has various shapes, thick and heavy, concise, and fluent lines, and stable and solemn shapes, all made exquisitely.

The evolution of Yuan blue and white is based on the foundation of the Tang and Song celadon. Firstly, the glaze colour was improved and innovated. Unique white glaze, eggshell glaze, and blue-white glaze were invented to make the glaze crystal clear. Cobalt pigment was imported for glaze colouring. Or using pigment made from domestic materials.

The formation of tin spots on Yuan blue and white is due to the high content of iron elements in local parts of the blue pigment. After reaching saturation in the high-temperature glaze solution and cooling down, the iron elements in the supersaturated part start to precipitate. If the iron content of the blue pigment is higher and the cooling rate is appropriate, tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware.

In addition to firing and materials, the formation of tin spots also involves the factor of glaze material. During the painting process, tin spots can also be formed due to the accumulation of blue pigment. Tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware at the intersections and the starting and ending points of brushstrokes. The formation of tin spots can be said to be a natural creation or an artificial decoration.

This master teacup has a smooth and lustrous texture and uses the Su Ma Li Qing glaze material (a kind of blue pigment), with a heavy sense of tin spots, revealing a unique charm of the past era. The entire production process is completed by hand, and every detail has been carefully designed and polished, giving this teacup a unique artistic charm. The blue and white dragon pattern is vivid, showcasing ancient cultural and aesthetic values, allowing people to immerse themselves in a beautiful artistic atmosphere while enjoying their tea.

This heart shaped teacup is completely handmade, and hand painted. The special craft used in this teaware includes Blue and white underglaze colour and underglaze red.

The pattern featured is called “Bao Xiang” in Chinese, which is a traditional decorative motif representing one of the auspicious three treasures (Bao Xiang flower, Money tree, and Treasure basin), prevalent during the Sui and Tang dynasties in China. Bao Xiang pattern is also known as ‘Bao Xian Hua’ or ‘Bao Lian Hua’. Its lines are clear, and the colour is serene and antique. The Bao Xiang pattern design of this teaware is neat, and complex but not messy, and the whole picture of it is full and rich in details.

In Chinese culture, the Bao Xiang pattern symbolizes auspiciousness and happiness, representing people’s aspirations for happiness. It is widely popular in the decoration of silk brocade, bronze mirrors, and porcelain, showcasing people’s pursuit of a better life.

This heart shaped teacup features smooth and concise curves, combining the unique beauty of Bao Xiang pattern, creating a visually appealing and enjoyable tea-drinking experience. The blue and red underglaze colours complement each other and create a beautiful radiance.