It's All About Tea — ru yao

The story of fine ceramics in China is inextricably linked to the evolution of Chinese Tea Culture. During the Song Dynasty, Henan province flourished as the cultural and economic heart of the empire, where the arts reached an apex of sophistication. It was during this era of whisked powdered tea (Dian Cha) that the renowned Ru Ware (Ru Yao) emerged, at first as elegant bowls and vessels designed to complement the aesthetics of the imperial court. While the teapot itself would not be invented until the Ming Dynasty, the legacy of Ru-style stoneware began here, setting a standard of beauty that tea lovers still revere today. (Read more)