White Porcelain Gaiwan and Tea Pitcher (Cha Hai)

A gaiwan is traditionally used as a vessel in which to brew your tea. It is also called a sancai bowl, roughly translating to a representation of the synchronicity of man, earth, and sky: the bowl represents humankind, the saucer underneath is the earth, and the lid is the sky.

The pitcher, meanwhile, is used to hold and serve the tea liquid instead of pouring directly from the gaiwan into the tasting cups.

The glaze of these pieces is pure, shiny, and smooth, enabling the tea drinkers to observe the color of the tea. The handle design of the pitcher allows it to be held without being scalded, and the material features a better heat insulation than glass.

White Porcelain Gaiwan 

White Porcelain Tea Pitcher 

Material - Ivory White

“Ivory white” is the name of a certain type of porcelain glaze, called as such, obviously, for its color and ivory-like texture. The glaze contains titanium oxides in it, lending it a faint yellowish tint as well as its bright, shiny appearance. In sunlight the glaze can also show some milky pink tints, which gives it its alternate name of “lard white”. In Europe this glaze is also known as “velvet white” or, simply, “Chinese white”.

Origin

Located in Fujian province, Dehua County maintains a great reputation for its ceramic and porcelain production. White porcelain from Dehua has a bright, pure white color with excellent light transmission; its ivory white (象牙白) and Chinese white (中国白) porcelains have been well-known both at home and abroad from as far back as the Ming and Qing dynasties. He Zongchao, Lin Chaojing, and Zhang Shoushan, among others, were some of the most famous ceramic artists during the Ming dynasty.

On May 30, 2015, after two consecutive days of evaluation, experts from the World Crafts Council have unanimously approved to award Dehua the title of World Capital of Ceramics.