Wash by hand with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge, using a mild detergent if necessary. Do not put in the dishwasher or microwave.
Gong Dao Bei
Long Spout
Wu Haoyu
SKU
7668
Elegant wood-fired Gong Dao Bei with a long spout and mesmerising dark metallic finish handcrafted by the renowned Chinese ceramic artist Wu Haoyu. Made of Nixing clay hand-harvested from the mountains of Guangxi province using age-old techniques. Perfect for Gongfu ceremonies or to add a touch of luxury to the everyday.
| Product | Gong Dao Bei fairness pitcher |
| Artist | Wu Haoyu |
| Origin | Nanning, Guangxi |
| Dimensions | Ø10cm x H5.5cm x W12.5cm |
| Volume | 200ml |
| Material | Nixing clay |
| Artist stamp | Seal to base |
| Packaging | Gift box |
Each piece is handmade and unique therefore sizing is approximate and appearance may vary.
In stock
Wu Haoyu 吳昊宇
Contemporary ceramic artist and tea connoisseur Wu Haoyu serves as an Associate Professor of Art and Ceramic Design at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. He has exhibited at major art events such as the Venice Biennale and the London Design Festival as well as numerous art museums and the Chinese Embassy in Italy. In addition to vases and abstract artworks, he enjoys creating wood-fired tea ceramics that are unparalleled in their lightness and elegance, effortlessly blending art with design. Over years of intensively studying the clay in the Guangxi region, sourced and refined using traditional techniques, Wu Haoyu has developed his signature aesthetic that centres on exquisite brown to black hues.
Gong Dao Bei 公道杯
The Gong Dao Bei or Cha Hai (茶海 "tea sea") is a serving bowl, typically made of glass or ceramic that is used to distribute the tea evenly to all guests. In a teapot or gaiwan, the tea is unevenly distributed, making its flavour similarly uneven; tea should therefore first be poured into the gong dao bei in order to mix the flavours. This ensures that all guests enjoy an evenly balanced tea, an essential part of the gongfu tea ceremony experience. The gong dao bei can also be used to cool the water to the desired temperature before brewing the tea, similar to the Japanese yuzamashi.
Nixing clay 坭興陶
Along with Yixing, Jianshui and Chaozhou, Nixing clay is one of the best-known materials in Chinese pottery for creating high-quality tea accessories. Traditionally, the clay comes from the area around the Qinjiang River in Guangxi province, which to this day is the heart of the 1300-year-old tradition of creating Nixing pottery. Unlike industrial producers, Wu Haoyu personally collects and hand-mixes natural clay from deposits in the surrounding mountains for his works. The clay, which is very rich in iron, is usually left with a metallic black finish after firing, creating a charming matte sheen that is further enhanced by the roughness of the surface. Ceramics made from Nixing clay are suitable for all types of tea (except fruit and intense herbal teas), rounding off the taste slightly for a less astringent and more harmonious flavour profile. We particularly recommend this ceramic for darker Chinese teas such as Pu Er and Liu Bao teas as well as black and oolong teas.
