Handmade Jianyang Jianzhan Tea Cup – Two Glazes Black Peony

This Jianzhan tea cup was crafted by Master Lin Jianfeng and represents an innovative design with a two-side glaze. The interior features the traditional oil spot glaze, characterized by black and silver patterns that spread from the base towards the edges, resembling a blooming peony flower. The exterior is coated in a smooth Cha Mo glaze (茶末釉), which is a type known for its high degree of vitrification. (Vitrification refers to the glassification of the porcelain surface, resulting in a layer that is glossy, smooth, and hard. A strong sense of vitrification indicates a well-formed glaze with good glossiness and integrity. The quality of vitrification depends on various factors such as the firing temperature, the duration of high temperature, the cooling rate, and the appropriateness of the oxidizing atmosphere.) Therefore, it is normal for the glaze to develop cracks (also known as "Kai Pian") during firing or use.

Lin Jianfeng, born in 1985 in Jianyang, grew up immersed in the world of Jian ware pottery, developing a deep passion for it from a young age. At the pivotal age of thirty, he gave up a lucrative income in a major city to return to his hometown and study the art of Jian ware pottery under Master Chen Chunhua, a bearer of this intangible cultural heritage. With a relentless drive to research, a willingness to experiment, and a resilience that only grew with each setback, he built upon the traditional black glaze and silver droplets to create new glaze colors that resonated with contemporary firing techniques, winning the hearts of many pottery enthusiasts. His works have been permanently collected by multiple museums and he has received numerous awards over the years.

It is heavy, feeling dense and thick when held; the large mouth of the cup makes it convenient and easy to watch the tea soup; the original glazed color of the material is black, bringing out the color of the tea; and when using Jianzhan for the first time, there is no need to “season” the material like with Zisha teapots. The ashy, earthy smell of the kiln can be cleaned off with fresh, warm water, and then after a boiling rinse of a few minutes, the cup is ready to use.

Jianzhan is a well-known Chinese porcelain of the Han nationality. It is one of the eight famous porcelain types of the Song dynasty, tracing back further than a thousand years; it takes its name from its origin of Jian An county during that time. Scholars and tea drinkers during the time period strongly advocated the comparison of different tea types, and as such required tea sets of a high quality along with the tea itself. Jianzhan has dense, tight pores conducive to the retention of heat, making it appropriate for this use.

In 2011, the workmanship of Jianzhan crafting was included on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.