Although this cup undoubtedly belongs in the category of luxury teaware, it doesn’t come across as flashy or pompous. There’s even something quite rustic in the varying shades of its pure silver glaze, applied to the finest porcelain from Jingdezhen. The beautiful mountains on both sides of the cup, created by a more intense oxidation of the silver, only add to this impression. You could call it understatement at its finest—or you could simply enjoy sipping your favorite tea from this little gem, knowing that true art doesn’t need to be explained. Like good tea, this cup will age with dignity. The process of oxidation will continue, gradually changing its color and subtly fading the paint.

If you're worried that pretty much every other piece of your teaware will pale beside this stellar cup, we've got you covered: a matching gaiwan and pitcher are available to complete your setup.

Written by Sven

About the artist

The ceramicist Ran Xiangfei, also known as Ryan, is one of the most prominent artists in Jingdezhen, often called “The Porcelain Capital” and the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic production. We first met him in 2019 at his studio, Yi Yang Yi Sheng, during a tea journey to the city. Impressed by his unique and creative pieces, we selected several for our tea shop. Since that first visit, Ryan’s team has expanded, his studio has moved to a larger atelier, and he is currently developing a second location. Below is the video recorded during our latest visit, in spring 2024.