Gaiwan
Celadon

Name: Jingdezhen Celadon Porcelain Gaiwan
SKU: 7243
Price: 29.90 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

Jingdezhen

SKU

7243

Elegant celadon Gaiwan teapot in an off-white ash glaze with a hint of jade, handmade in Jingdezhen, the legendary porcelain capital of China. Perfect for everyday use and for serving all kinds of Chinese tea.

Product	Gaiwan
Origin	Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China
Dimensions	Ø9.5cm x 7cm, saucer Ø10cm
Volume	150ml
Material	Porcelain
Glaze	Celadon ash glaze

Each item is handmade and unique therefore measurements are approximate

€29.90

Delivery : 1-3 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. shipping

SKU

7243

Notify me when this product is available:

Reminder set

The birthplace of porcelain, Jingdezhen has been producing the finest Chinese ceramics for over a thousand years and was home to some of China’s most important imperial kilns. Surrounded by breathtaking nature in the northeastern corner of Jiangxi province, the remoteness of the small city has helped preserve age-old traditions that are still in practice to this day. When Europeans first encountered Chinese porcelain back in the 14th century, they concluded that this ethereal yet solid "white gold" could only have been made by magic. The secret? Kaolin: the soft white clay essential to manufacturing porcelain, named after the Gaoling mountain in Jingdezhen where this resource was available in abundance.

The Gaiwan (literally “lidded bowl”) is a classic piece of Chinese teaware used to infuse tea leaves, particularly large leaf Oolong, Green and White teas. Made from a variety of materials including porcelain, glass or Yixing clay, the Gaiwan consists of a small bowl and lid, with or without a matching saucer, and can be used as both a brewing and drinking vessel. Developments in tea ritual and preparation during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) gave rise to the Gaiwan and it is still widely used across China today in domestic as well as formal settings, such as in Gongfu tea ceremonies and tastings. Gaiwan make for exceptionally fragrant infusions owing to their curved shape and open design that amplifies the aroma. Those made of fine porcelain help absorb the heat in a way that doesn’t shock or damage the tea leaves, resulting in a mellower brew.

Celadon

Revered for its likeness to jade, celadon ceramics, also known as greenware, have been produced in China as far back as the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC). Traditional celadon glazes contain iron oxide, which transform into various lustrous shades of green – from deep olive to the palest blue- and grey-greens – when fired at high temperatures in a reduction oven. Celadon wares dominated the East Asian ceramic landscape for centuries, reaching its peak during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), after which blue-and-white Jingdezhen porcelain took pride of place.

How to Use

Preparing tea in a Gaiwan is simple, but to handle it carefully may require some practice.

First, preheat the utensils: pour hot water into the Gaiwan bowl, transferring the water into teacups if desired, then discard the water.
Next, add the tea leaves to the bowl: around 20% full for stronger teas and up to 60% for more delicate teas.
Slowly pour hot water over the leaves to just below the brim, then stir the leaves a little with the lid before using it to close the Gaiwan. Allow the tea to steep.
When ready, slightly angle the lid to create a small gap, then hold the bowl at the edges with one hand while keeping the lid secure with your index finger to pour the tea into cups or a Chahai tea pitcher, or simply drink straight from the Gaiwan, using the lid to block the leaves.

If the tea is suitable for multiple infusions, don’t miss out on a second or third brew! For each subsequent brew make sure the water is a little hotter and the steep time shorter to get the most out of the leaves.

Care

Porcelain is very easy to care for and can simply be washed by hand with warm water and washing-up liquid after use. Unlike unglazed, porous ceramics, such as Yixing clay, glazed porcelain does not absorb odours or flavours and so can be used with different teas each time.