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  • Yixing Clay: Zhuni Part 2

    by Patrick Gorman
    Zhuni is not extinct, but it is rare. The myth of its extinction comes from the restrictions on zisha mining. Fear of overmining and environmental degradation led the Yixing government to greatly restrict mining operations beginning in 2005. All official mines were either closed or had their operations limited. This includes operations in the famous three spots: Huang Long Shan 黄龙山, Zhaozhuang 赵庄, and Xiaomeiyao 小煤窑.
    Posted in teaware, yixing teapots

  • Yixing Clay: Zhuni Part 1

    by Patrick Gorman
    Of all of the Yixing clays, perhaps the most mysterious is Zhuni, the famous orange-red clay. A great deal of misinformation standing in for factual information makes it difficult for anyone who is interested in acquiring a zhuni teapot. We often receive questions from customers about this clay and will do our best to answer some of the most common questions below.
    Posted in teaware, yixing teapots

  • Li Changquan

    by Patrick Gorman
    It was during the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915 that the Li Brothers Studio first exhibited its Nixing clay art overseas. The Nixing clay vase won the gold medal for ceramic art, bringing attention to a little-known school of ceramic art known variously as Qinzhou pottery – after the town in Guangxi where it is practiced – and Nixing clay. Although not as well known outside of China, the clay has long been prized by a devoted subset of tea drinkers for its special properties.
    Posted in history, nixing, teaware

  • Fanggu Porcelain

    by Patrick Gorman
    Contemporary Jingdezhen porcelain owes its quality and appearance to generations of experimentation and adaptation, as well as to the retention of what is special and beautiful from earlier periods. This combination of tradition and innovation characterizes Jingdezhen porcelain. While retaining traditional techniques and patterns is important to the art of Jingdezhen porcelain, it is especially important to a specific class of Jingdezhen porcelain called “fanggu.”
    Posted in fanggu, history, jingdezhen, porcelain, ruyao, teaware

  • Nixing Clay

    by Patrick Gorman
    ​Nixing has a long history in China, however it has often been overlooked by the tea drinking community outside of the country. While much has been written online about Yixing Zisha and Chinese porcelain, very little has been said about this other ceramic art.
    Posted in history, nixing, teaware

  • Wood Kiln Yixing Teapots

    by Patrick Gorman
    While Yixing Teapots fired in electric kilns are beautiful, there is something special about wood-fired teaware, especially wood-fired teaware that is fully exposed to the fire and ash during the process. 
    Posted in teaware, yixing teapots

  • Part 2: A Tour of a Ruyao Studio

    by Patrick Gorman
    After finishing our interview, Mr. Lee offered to give me a tour of his studio, offering a glimpse into the production process. Here are some photos of his studio.
    Posted in jingdezhen, ruyao, teaware

  • Part 1: An Interview with a Ruyao Master

    by Patrick Gorman

    This April, while the people around us were busy with the spring tea harvest, we made a visit to Mr. Lee Shanming’s (李善明) studio, Shan Kiln 善窑, in Jingdezhen to see his new spring products, and to take some photos back with us for our blog. Lee Shanming is our featured Ruyao artist. All of the Ruyao Teaware in our shop is handcrafted in his studio in Jingdezhen.

    Posted in jingdezhen, ruyao, teaware

  • An introduction to Ruyao

    by Patrick Gorman
    Ruyao originated in the late Song dynasty (around 700 years ago). The kiln was located in Ruzhou 汝州, hence the style became known as Ru Yao or “Ru Kiln.” There were 5 famous kilns in the Song Dynasty: Ru kiln, Guan Kiln, Ge kiln, Jun Kiln and Ding Kiln. Ru kiln was labeled, “top of the 5 kilns,” and was the official royal kiln, producing ceramics for the Emperor and his family.  What makes Ruyao antiques especially valuable was the short period that the kiln operated during the Song Dynasty - only around 20 years. Today only a total of 67 pieces from that period have survived. Reflecting its imperial origins, modern true Ruyao represents a form of sophisticated luxury in the tea world.
    Posted in history, ruyao, teaware

  • Jingdezhen Porcelain and the name China

    by Patrick Gorman

    Every child in China learns that the country has been making porcelain ceramics as far back as the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 907), and that the small town of Jingdezhen 景德镇 has been the centre of this craft. While Chinese porcelain is also famous worldwide, few outside of China may know the importance of this town or have even heard its name.

    Posted in history, jingdezhen, porcelain, teaware