Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim and Three Friends of Winter motif
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan with silver-rimmed mouth
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim
Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan tea cup with silver rim

Hand-Painted Blue & White Porcelain Gaiwan with Silver Rim

$256.98

STYLE: Gaiwan

Gaiwan
Teacup
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Total price:$2,188.23
Description

This hand-painted blue and white porcelain gaiwan is crafted in Jingdezhen and decorated with an underglaze Three Friends of Winter motif featuring pine, bamboo and plum blossom. Finished with a pure silver rim, it is designed as a refined Gongfu tea vessel for drinkers who value both functional brewing and traditional Chinese ceramic craftsmanship.

Product Details

  • Type: Hand-painted blue and white gaiwan

  • Material: High-fired porcelain

  • Origin: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China

  • Decoration: Hand-painted underglaze blue

  • Motif: Three Friends of Winter — pine, bamboo and plum blossom

  • Rim: Pure silver edging

  • Gaiwan diameter: 95 mm

  • Gaiwan height: 75 mm

  • Full capacity: 130 cc

  • Lid-on brewing capacity: Approximately 100 cc

  • Use: Gongfu tea brewing

  • Companion cup: Dragon Egg cup, 36 cc

What Makes This Blue & White Gaiwan Different?

The defining feature of this gaiwan is its hand-painted underglaze decoration. The cobalt design is applied to the porcelain body before the final glaze firing, allowing the artwork to become part of the finished ceramic surface rather than sitting on top as a separate decorative layer.

If you want to compare more hand-painted designs, explore our hand-painted gaiwan collection.

The Three Friends of Winter motif—pine, bamboo and plum blossom—adds a traditional Chinese visual language to a functional Gongfu tea vessel.

How Does the Shape Work for Gongfu Tea?

The generously flared 95 mm rim and 75 mm height create a relatively open profile that is easy to access when adding leaves, pouring water and controlling the lid.

The relationship between the bowl, lid and rim is also important when pouring. See our gaiwan shape guide for a detailed explanation of different gaiwan profiles.

The lid can be tilted to strain the tea while keeping the leaves inside the bowl. For a deeper explanation of how vessel design influences brewing, see how a gaiwan affects tea.

Hand-Painted Underglaze Blue vs. Printed Decoration

The difference between genuine hand-painted decoration and a printed surface is important when buying a blue and white gaiwan.

Here, the blue decoration is described as hand-painted underglaze work. The design is applied before glazing and high-temperature firing, creating a different relationship between artwork, glaze and porcelain than a surface decal.

This is why the product should be understood not merely as a blue and white tea bowl, but as a functional piece of ceramic craftsmanship.

Caring for the Porcelain and Silver Rim

Hand washing with mild detergent and a soft sponge is recommended. Dry the piece after washing and avoid abrasive cleaners.

Because the rim uses pure silver, occasional tarnishing can occur naturally. A soft jewelry-polishing cloth can be used when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this blue and white gaiwan actually hand-painted?

Yes. The product is described as using hand-painted underglaze blue decoration rather than transfer printing.

Where is this gaiwan made?

The product is identified as originating from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, one of China's best-known centers of porcelain production.

What is the capacity?

The full capacity is 130 cc, while the lid-on brewing capacity is approximately 100 cc.

What does the Three Friends of Winter design mean?

The motif combines pine, bamboo and plum blossom, traditionally associated with resilience, integrity and endurance.

Can I use it every day?

Yes. It is designed as a functional Gongfu tea vessel, although the porcelain and silver rim should be handled with appropriate care.

Explore the wider Chinese Gaiwan collection to compare this Jingdezhen piece with Dehua, wood-fired and ceramic gaiwans.

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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.