Rural Life Gaiwan
USD 37.00
Celadon overglaze stoneware
One issue with smaller gaiwans made from porcelain is the balance of weight while infusing and handling. The lightness in a small volume also means easier heat loss. The use of stoneware alleviate both issues. The brim is made thin, even and firm for easy control when decanting, while the body wall gradually thickens towards the centre for good heat retention. The glass like celadon overglaze makes the vessel as good as porcelain, only with the advantages of a more substantial body. This “Rural Life” gaiwan is one of two hand scripted smaller size selections we have picked from Dehua.
The first four lines from a Tang Dynasty poem “Rural Life” are handwritten on the perimeter of the gaiwan. The style of this calligraphic script is Cao Shu, a cursive script. Some call it running script. It seems that the brush was indeed running when the characters were being brushed on the ceramic biscuit.
茶碗上以草書體寫唐代賈島的一首詩，「郊居即事」的開頭四句：
住此園林久，其如未是家。葉書傳野意，檐溜煮胡茶。
In stock
德化青瓷釉 草書蓋碗
Dehua Celadon Rural Life Gaiwan
- Capacity: 90ml
- Material: Stoneware with celadon overglaze
- Origin: Fujian, China
- Packing: Cushioned pull-string bag in kraft carton
- Content: 1 tea bowl, 1 lid
Additional information
| Weight | 330 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10 × 10 × 10 cm |
| Design option |
Reviews(1)
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Feng Ying: Bead Feet Shui Ping
Tea Accessories, Yixing Teapot, Yixing ware珠鼎水平
Artist: Unknown (Feng Ying) Pot style: Horizontal Level (Shui Ping) Material: Qing Shui Ni Capacity: 260 ml Creation year: Unclear 鳳英 （不詳） 壺型：水平 材料：清水泥 底款：中國宜興 蓋款：鳳英 製作年份：不詳
Standard Taster’s Mug, Small
Tea Accessories, Mugs
Classic White Utility Gaiwan 150
Home, Tea Accessories, Gaiwans, White porcelain
I’ve only used this a couple of times but it’s already quickly becoming my favorite gaiwan to use. It’s got great ergonomics and the calligraphy is beautiful – I love the way the blue ink pops out and contrasts against the matte, light grey stoneware.
This is a very well-crafted piece; the flaring on the edges is perfect, with a thin brim that consistently returns a very clean and smooth pour, down to the very last drop.
The knob of the lid has a perfect indent; my finger rests comfortably on top, and the lid sits firmly to the body of the gaiwan. The lid is domed, trapping air so the button stays cool, which inspires confidence during the pour when using short steep times with freshly boiled water.
The cup itself is thick where it needs to be, so the heat retention is good, and it’s shaped well with a round belly plus a nice contour leading up to the brim, which allows for even the largest leaves to fully expand and release all of their delicious flavors. This is literally the perfect vessel for any and every kind of tea you can put into it.
I’m sure each gaiwan will be slightly different, but here are some technical specifications on the one I got in case its helpful for anybody reading this:
The cup alone weighs 82.5 grams, the lid weighs 36.6 grams, and the total weight is 119 grams – just over a quarter-pound, which is nice. It’s not so heavy that it feels clunky, but it’s not so light that it feels fragile… it’s just right.
When filled flatly to the brim, my gaiwan holds 130mL of water. At the point where the meniscus of the water meets the rim of the lid and begins to form a seal with the cup, it holds 100mL of water.
This is an awesome gaiwan, in every way. I’m really glad I picked one of these up.