Gaiwan

This three-cup cover is hand-painted and baked at high temperature. The entire cover is presented in an elegant antique blue colour.

The antique blue glaze is a treasure in the traditional porcelain-making craft of the Han ethnic group and is most distinctive in the Song Dynasty. It is mainly composed of “iron” as the colouring element, and under the high-temperature reduction flame conditions, it presents a series of blue and green colours of varying depths, showing a strong Song-style charm.

The glaze is smooth and lustrous, adding a touch of brilliance to your tea ceremony.

The style of this super beautiful Gaiwan 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.

The Ruyi motifs on the outside of this flat-bottom Gaiwan also carry auspicious meanings. The Ruyi symbolizes auspiciousness and good fortune. Its rounded and flawless form embodies blessings, satisfaction, and wishes fulfilled. Underneath its graceful appearance, it holds profound significance, representing the auspicious and delightful ideals of good fortune and contentment.

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 Gaiwan but also imbue it with a unique sense of history.

The delicate brushstrokes and intricate detailing of the painting on this Gaiwan create a distinct sense of aesthetic appeal. The stunning underglaze blue, along with the heavy tin glaze, gives it a bold and intense beauty. This Gaiwan exudes a simple yet luxuriant charm, reminiscent of the style of imitation Ming, making it truly captivating and irresistible.

This Gaiwan is completely handmade and hand-painted. 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 Gaiwan features smooth and concise curves, combining the unique beauty of the Bao Xiang pattern, creating a visually appealing and enjoyable tea-drinking experience.

This small and delicate Dou Cai Pi Qiu Hua Gaiwan is meticulously crafted with the technique of clashing colour.

As we all know, Doucai is a precious art form in traditional Chinese porcelain craftsmanship. It originated and was fired during the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty, and Dou Cai from the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty is highly esteemed. Dou Cai is a type of decoration that combines underglaze blue (qinghua) and overglaze colour painting.

Dou Cai involves applying mineral pigments onto the previously fired underglaze blue porcelain, filling in the gaps left by the underglaze blue patterns and colouring the space within the outline of the underglaze blue design. The porcelain is then fired in a lower-temperature kiln (800°C). Dou Cai is renowned for its vibrant and varied colour palette, as well as its refined and sophisticated decorative style that reflects the aesthetic taste of the Ming Dynasty.

The decorative pattern of Pi Qiu Hua (皮球花), also known as little tuan hua (小团花) or embroidery ball flower, evolved from the traditional tuan hua pattern on porcelain. This pattern has been present since the Sui Dynasty, and it combines abstract and representational elements. It takes various forms, resembling a spherical shape, hence the name Pi Qiu Hua (皮球花).

The decorative patterns on Chinese porcelain always carry auspicious meanings. Since the Pi Qiu Hua pattern originated from tuan hua, it inherits the traditional tuan hua motifs such as tuan long (团龙), tuan feng (团凤), and tuan hua (团花). These traditional motifs symbolize the abundance and beauty of life.

This beautiful Gaiwan, with its vibrant colours and exquisite craftsmanship, is an eye-catching presence wherever it is placed. Imagine having a cup of spring tea by using this charming Gaiwan, it could be the most delightful experience for a day!

This Ercai Gaiwan is handcrafted using the technique of gold painting, Lang Hong colouring and enamel glazed paint. The pattern on its painting is Dunhuang-style, with vibrant and luxurious colours, exuding a sense of luxury and elegance.

Gold painting, one of the decorative techniques, involves applying gold powder (gold dust) or bright gold (gold solution) on the porcelain surface to create intricate patterns or to complement other decorations such as borders or a golden background. Afterwards, the Gaiwan is fired at a low temperature to achieve the final finish. The lid, rim, and base of this Ercai Gaiwan are all embellished with intricate gold outlining craftsmanship.

The patterns on this Gaiwan depict Dunhuang-style designs, layered and intricate, displaying a rich array of colours. Among them, the lotus pattern is the most used decorative motif in Dunhuang art. From the Northern Liang to the Yuan Dynasty, lotus flowers can be found in every cave of the Mogao Grottoes. In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes purity and enlightenment. It is believed that one’s soul can attain rebirth through the lotus, leading to the blissful Western Pure Land. Within the Mogao Grottoes, lotus flowers adorn the background, embellishing figures of bodhisattvas and celestial beings, embodying the sacred and immaculate nature of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Hence, the lotus is the quintessential flower representing Buddhism. Apart from the lotus, another significant motif is the honeysuckle, also known as Jin Hua (golden-silver flower).  It is an important decorative symbol in Dunhuang art, introduced alongside Buddhist art in China as a decorative floral theme.  The rise of honeysuckle patterns in China occurred nearly simultaneously with the spread of Buddhism.  Its extensive use in Buddhist decorations during the Northern Dynasties influenced secular ornamentation at that time.  Honeysuckle blooms during summer, transitioning from white to yellow after budding, shedding old leaves in late autumn, and promptly producing new leaves.  It endures even in the harshest winter conditions, quietly thriving in the wild with minimal requirements of water and soil.  As a result, the honeysuckle pattern found abundant application in Buddhist-related decorations, drawing from its persistent growth characteristics. Furthermore, the motif of the “Baoxiang Flower,” also known as Baoxianhua or Baolianhua, is another traditional auspicious pattern in Dunhuang decorations.  It is one of the auspicious Three Treasures and was prevalent during China’s Sui and Tang Dynasties.  The concept of “Baoxiang” originates from Buddhism, where it refers to a respectful term for Buddhist images.  The Baoxiang Flower represents an idealized form of purity, grace, and beauty.

In addition to these captivating decorative patterns, the craftsmanship of Lang Hong ceramics is also deserving of praise. Firstly, the full name of Lang Hong is “Langyao Red,” also known as “Gem Red” or “Ox Blood Red.” It is one of the most vibrant colours in traditional Chinese precious copper red glazes. Lang Hong glaze is achieved by using copper as a colouring agent and firing it at a high temperature of 1300°C. Since copper elements easily evaporate at high temperatures, the range of colour expression is limited. The firing process demands strict control over the atmosphere and temperature, and the outcome is greatly affected by external factors, making it a highly challenging process to successfully produce Lang Hong ceramics. Lang Hong glaze boasts a smooth and translucent surface, resembling glass, with crackled patterns resembling cow hair texture.  The glaze exhibits a deep and vivid colour, resembling freshly congealed ox blood with its brilliant crimson hue, symbolizing auspiciousness, and wealth.  Revered as a “treasure among a thousand kilns,” the red-glazed porcelain of Lang Hong showcases a distinctive ethnic style, shining like a dazzling gem in the history of world ceramics.  The colour red, known for its auspiciousness and affluence, has elevated Lang Hong ceramics to a radiant and remarkable masterpiece in the realm of ceramic art.

Enamel, on the other hand, is a decorative technique that involves transplanting the cloisonné enamel method onto a porcelain body as an overglaze colour decoration. Enamel decoration on porcelain, known as “Fàlángcǎi” in Chinese, entails painting colourful patterns on the porcelain surface and then firing it at high temperatures to fuse the colours with the porcelain, achieving a durable and splendid design. These patterns often feature exquisite themes such as flowers, birds, figures, and landscapes, reflecting the essence of traditional Chinese culture and art. The process of creating enamel decorations is extremely intricate and complex, requiring skilled and experienced craftsmen. First, the porcelain prototype is made, and then special mineral pigments are used to paint patterns on its surface. Once the painting is completed, a series of firing processes follow, during which the temperature and timing for both the porcelain and the enamel colours are crucial factors. Improper temperature or timing can result in cracks in the porcelain or unstable colours. Enamel decoration is considered a treasure in traditional Chinese craftsmanship, representing the wisdom and skills of ancient Chinese artisans.

This Gaiwan showcases exquisite Lang Hong craftsmanship, with intricate and delicate Dunhuang patterns that carry profound symbolism.

This charming Gaiwan is using blue and white porcelain craftsmanship, made entirely by hand.

The beautiful picture on the body of Gaiwan is called ‘Wan Hua’, also known as “myriad flowers,” “flowers on top of flowers,” or “adding flowers to enhance beauty,” is commonly depicted in the central area of the object. It often features large patterns of peonies, surrounded by various smaller floral patterns such as chrysanthemums, camellia, roses, lotuses, lilies, morning glories, and others. The intricate secondary patterns cover the entire surface, symbolizing the gathering of myriad flowers and representing prosperity and harmony.

The delicate brushstrokes vividly outline the different flowers, creating a glossy and elegant appearance. The colours are rich and vibrant, giving the piece a sense of vivid and liveliness.

Note: All are fully handmade, every Gaiwan can be slightly different.

This charming Gaiwan is using blue and white porcelain craftsmanship, made entirely by hand.

One of the patterns depicts a pair of phoenixes. The phoenix, known as the “Fenghuang” in Chinese, is a mythical bird considered to be the king of all birds and a symbol of auspiciousness, beauty, and grace. It represents virtue, harmony, and the union of yin and yang. When depicted as a pair, the double phoenix symbolizes the ideal relationship between a male and a female. It represents the union of two exceptional individuals or the coming together of two extraordinary things. It signifies a harmonious and balanced partnership, whether in love, marriage, or any collaborative endeavour. The double phoenix is often associated with blessings, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed to bring luck, happiness, and success, as well as symbolize marital bliss, loyalty, and everlasting love.

Another pattern used on this Gaiwan is Chanzhi Lian. Chanzhi Lian, also known as “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.

The texture of this Gaiwan is delicate and smooth, and the painting is lively and lifelike. The entire production process is completed by hand, with every detail carefully designed and polished, giving this Gaiwan a unique artistic charm. This tea ware by imitating the shape and style of traditional Chinese tea ware, allowing people to appreciate the charm of traditional art and experience the flavour of history. The elegant lines, smooth curves, and delicate decorations present a sense of refined and harmonious beauty, allowing people to experience pleasure and artistic enjoyment while tasting tea.

This Gaiwan 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 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 Gaiwan has a thick body 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 Gaiwan a unique artistic charm.