Hand-Painted Blue and White Gaiwan Tea Cup with Silver-Rimmed Mouth
Encounter a heart-warming tea container, taking a sip or two of light and elegant tea in the middle of a busy schedule; between touch and vision, clearly comprehend heaven, earth and people of nature and ingenuity.
Frequently Bought Together
Description
- Material: High-fired Porcelain
- Origin: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi.
- Decoration: Hand-painted Underglaze Blue
- Rim Finish: Pure Silver Edging
- Gaiwan Diameter: 95mm
- Gaiwan Height: 75mm
- Gaiwan Full Capacity: 130cc
- Dragon Egg Cup Diameter: 55mm
- Dragon Egg Cup Height: 40mm
- Dragon Egg Cup Capacity: 36cc
- Motif: Three Friends of Winter (Pine, Bamboo, Plum blossom)
- For those who believe that tea is not merely a beverage but a ritual—a quiet conversation between water, leaf, and vessel—this hand-painted Blue-and-White Gaiwan set is something you will want to experience slowly, deliberately, and often.
- The motif that adorns this Blue and White Gaiwan set is the celebrated Three Friends of Winter: the resilient pine that stands unyielding in snow, the bamboo that bends without breaking, and the plum blossom that dares to bloom in the coldest months. In traditional Chinese visual poetry, these three plants together represent perseverance, integrity, and quiet strength—values that resonate deeply with anyone who has learned to appreciate the subtle pleasures of a well-brewed cup.
- Every brushstroke on this Blue and White Gaiwan is applied entirely by hand. There is no transfer printing here, no mechanical decal work. What you see is the genuine labor of a skilled artisan who has spent years perfecting the craft of underglaze blue painting. The cobalt pigment sinks into the raw porcelain body before the glaze is applied and fired at high temperature—typically between 1200°C and 1400°C—which permanently fuses the design into the ceramic itself. This means the artwork will not fade, scratch off, or wash away over time.
- The Blue and White Porcelain Gaiwan features a generously flared rim measuring 95mm in diameter, paired with a carefully proportioned height of 75mm. The full capacity is 130cc, with the lid-on brewing capacity calibrated to 100cc—a thoughtful detail that ensures you can fill the bowl without water spilling over the edge when the lid is seated. This is not a minor consideration. Anyone who has struggled with a gaiwan that is either too small to brew properly or too full to handle comfortably will immediately appreciate the engineering behind these dimensions.
- The companion Dragon Egg cup is equally deliberate in its proportions: 55mm in diameter, 40mm in height, with a 36cc capacity. Its name comes from the graceful, ovoid silhouette that fits snugly in the palm of your hand. The rim is finished with pure silver edging, adding a subtle gleam that catches the light with each sip while also reinforcing the cup’s delicate edge against everyday wear.
- Both the Gaiwan Tee and the Dragon Egg cup feature thin-porcelain bodies that are remarkably translucent when held up to light. Yet “thin” does not mean “fragile.” Properly fired porcelain possesses surprising resilience, and the high-temperature kiln process ensures that these pieces can withstand regular use without compromising their structural integrity.
- The silver edging—applied by hand using traditional metalworking techniques—serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. It frames each piece with a band of precious metal that evokes the elegance of heirloom tableware. Practically speaking, it also provides a small measure of thermal buffering and adds a tactile contrast to the smooth, glassy porcelain surface.
- This is a Gongfu Gaiwan Tea Set in the truest sense—designed for the meticulous, multi-steep brewing method that unlocks the full aromatic spectrum of oolong, white, raw pu’er, and high-mountain green teas. The wide, outward-splayed rim of the Blue and White Gaiwan is not merely decorative; it creates a natural heat-dissipation zone that keeps your fingertips comfortable even when the bowl is filled with near-boiling water. The lid seats securely but not tightly, allowing you to tilt it just enough to strain the leaves while controlling the flow of liquor into your cup.
- Whether you are looking for a Traditional Gaiwan Tea Set to anchor your home tea practice, a Portable Gaiwan Tea Set that can travel with you (the pieces nest compactly), or simply a Ceramic Blue and White Gaiwan that brings beauty to every brew, this set delivers on all fronts.
- The Gaiwan Tea Set UK and European markets have shown growing appreciation for authentic, handcrafted tea ware that tells a story. This set tells the story of winter friends who endure together—and of the artisans who still paint, fire, and finish each piece by hand, one at a time.
Hand-Painted Blue and White Gaiwan Tea Cup with Silver-Rimmed Mouth
$256.98
Gaiwan
Frequently Asked Questions
I bought a “hand-painted” porcelain tea set before and the blue color started fading after just a few months of use. Why does that happen, and will yours do the same?
This is one of the most common and frustrating complaints we hear. What you experienced was almost certainly machine-printed decal work falsely marketed as hand-painted. Decals sit on the surface of the glaze rather than being fused into it, so they scratch, fade, and peel with regular washing. Our Blue and White Porcelain Gaiwan uses true underglaze hand-painting: the cobalt pigment is applied to the raw porcelain body before the glaze, then fired at 1200–1400°C. The design becomes permanently embedded in the ceramic matrix. It will not fade, scratch, or wash off—ever. The only way to damage it is to physically break the porcelain itself.
I’ve bought gaiwans where the lid doesn’t fit properly—it wobbles, doesn’t seal, or pours tea everywhere. How do I know yours won’t have the same problem?
Poor fit is a recurring complaint in customer reviews across many tea ware brands. The issue stems from inconsistent kiln shrinkage during firing, which manufacturers often fail to control. Each piece in our set is individually inspected for fit and finish before leaving the workshop. The lid seats securely against the bowl rim without being too tight—you can tilt it smoothly to strain leaves and control pour speed. You won’t experience the “lid falls off when tilted” problem, nor will you struggle with a lid that is stuck so tightly you burn your fingers trying to open it.
I’ve read reviews where people say thin porcelain gaiwans are too fragile and chip easily. Is that true for this set?
There is a widespread misconception that hand-painted or thin porcelain is inherently fragile. What actually determines durability is the firing temperature and the quality of the glaze, not the thickness of the body. Our porcelain is fired at high temperatures that vitrify the clay, creating a glass-hard surface that resists chipping and cracking under normal use. Yes, if you drop it on a tile floor, it will break—just like any ceramic. But for everyday handling, pouring, rinsing, and even travel, this set holds up remarkably well. Many users report years of daily use without issue.
I love the look of silver rims, but I’ve read that silver can tarnish and is hard to maintain. Is that true?
Yes, pure silver does tarnish over time when exposed to air and moisture—that is simply the nature of the metal. However, the tarnish is easily removed with a soft polishing cloth. More importantly, the silver rim on this set is a relatively small surface area, so maintenance is minimal compared to a full silver teapot or serving set. We recommend hand-washing with mild detergent and a soft sponge, drying immediately, and occasionally polishing with a jewelry cloth designed for silver. Avoid dishwashers—the high heat and harsh detergents can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage the porcelain glaze.
I travel frequently and want a Gaiwan Travel Tea Set I can take on planes and pack in a suitcase. Can this set handle that?
Yes, with one important caveat. The set itself is compact and lightweight—the gaiwan nests with the cup, and both pieces take up very little space. However, we do not include a padded travel case. We strongly recommend wrapping the pieces individually in soft cloths or bubble wrap and placing them in a rigid container if you are checking luggage. For carry-on baggage, the set is perfectly fine. The thin-porcelain design is durable under normal handling but not shockproof. Many customers have successfully traveled with this set for years by packing it carefully.
How does hand-painted porcelain compare to bone china in terms of quality and value?
This is an excellent question, and the answer depends on what you value. Bone china incorporates bone ash to achieve a bright white color and a glass-like translucency, and it is extremely durable. However, most bone china tea sets on the market are machine-printed, not hand-painted. Hand-painted porcelain offers something different: the direct imprint of an artisan’s skill and intention. The value lies not in the material cost but in the labor and tradition behind each piece. A Ceramic Blue and White Gaiwan that is genuinely hand-painted will always carry a different kind of value—emotional, aesthetic, and cultural—than a machine-made alternative, regardless of the clay body used.