Gaiwan No. 5

This is a visually stunning gaiwan. The colour and textures created by the wavy brushstrokes of the artist brings to mind fields of wheat. The exterior is lightly textured with iron spots. The inside is a soft, pale blue-grey glaze with iron spots. Light crackles on the inside glaze will develop through use, and may darken with time.

Large size.

⌀: 3⅞"
H: 3⅛"

. . .

This gaiwan is made by Wang Xinghua, a young ceramicist from Jingdezhen, China.

His handcrafted ceramics are rooted in daily life: simple, plain, rustic. Yet, the meticulous efforts involved in making each one results in a final product that exudes warmth, character, and a sense of individuality that is difficult to articulate but touches the heart.

The gaiwans have a beautiful and harmonious presence. The elegant forms and organic color tones are delightful to look at, to contemplate and reflect on. The neutral glaze on the inside beautifully highlights the tea leaves as they are brewing - it is a pleasure to use for everyday tea making. 

We have been using his gaiwans at our tea bar from the beginning and our love and appreciation for them have grown profoundly.

This is one of 35 gaiwans that we commissioned him to create for us from our visit to his studio in April 2019. 

He throws the gaiwans on the potter’s wheel and shapes each gaiwan by hand from his own special formulation of Jingdezhen clay and porcelain clay. After bisque firing at 800°C, he applies his own glazes by hand. The gaiwans are then reduction-fired at 1300°C.