These Jianshui Zitao teacups are handmade by Wanhe Tang (万合堂). Jianshui Zitao (建水紫陶) is the famous purple pottery of southern Yunnan. Jianshui pottery is dense and unglazed. The clay comes from “Five-Color Mountain (五彩山 – Wucai Mountain) and it is blended from five naturally colored clays: red, yellow, white, blue-green, and purple. These clays are rich in minerals and iron, which is part of why Jianshui ware can fire into such deep, layered tones.
The two-color effect on these Jianshui cups is achieved through reduction firing. During firing, the kiln's oxygen level is lowered. The clay reacts to heat by showcasing darker, more muted tones.
After firing, Jianshui teaware is polished by hand with stones. This is one of the defining features of the tradition. The clay surface is slowly burnished until it becomes smooth and semi-matte or glossy.
For tea, Jianshui is very versatile due to its low porosity. It absorbs less aroma than more porous clays, and it doesn’t lock itself to a single type of tea. That makes these cups suitable for pu-erh, oolong, red, or any tea where you want the fragrance to stay clear.
The shape of the cups is soft and stable, with a slightly raised foot. At 40 ml, they are perfect for Gong Fu Cha: small enough for focused tasting, but not so tiny that the tea disappears in one sip.
• Material: Jianshui Zitao (建水紫陶)
• Maker: Handmade by Wanhe Tang (万合堂)
• Capacity: 40ml
NOTE: Avoid using detergents when cleaning.