🍵 What is this Gaiwan Tea Set?
This is a handmade Jingdezhen Gaiwan tea set decorated with the traditional underglaze blue and copper red technique (Qinghua Youlihong).
The design features “Three Friends of Winter” (Pine, Bamboo, Plum)—a classic Chinese symbol of resilience, purity, and noble character.
Each piece is hand-thrown, hand-painted, and high-fired, combining functionality with artistic value.
🌿 Why Choose This Gaiwan?
- ✔ Rare blue & copper red underglaze technique
- ✔ Fully handmade: throwing, trimming, and painting
- ✔ High-temperature reduction firing in gas kiln
- ✔ Unique, unrepeatable copper red color variations
- ✔ Elegant balance of blue (cool) and red (warm) tones
- ✔ Cultural symbolism: strength, integrity, and resilience
- ✔ Ideal for tea lovers and collectors
🎨 Craftsmanship & Technique
- Craft: Fully handmade (throwing + trimming + hand painting)
- Decoration: Underglaze blue + copper red painting
- Clay: Antique-style clay (kaolin-based formula)
- Glaze: Antique glaze + natural mineral pigments
- Firing: High-temperature reduction flame firing (gas kiln)
🔥 About Blue & Copper Red (Qinghua Youlihong)
This technique is one of the most difficult ceramic processes in history:
- Copper red is extremely sensitive to temperature
- Slight kiln variations create different colors
- High failure rate, low yield
👉 Authentic pieces show:
- Natural color variations (red with green/gray tones)
- Flowing, diffused patterns
- Layered and dynamic visual effects
⚠️ Many imitations use synthetic pigments with flat, lifeless color.
📜 Historical Background
Underglaze copper red porcelain was:
- First developed in mid-Yuan Dynasty
- Matured during Ming Yongle & Xuande periods
- Reached peak craftsmanship in Qing Dynasty (Yongzheng era)
👉 Historically regarded as a precious and rare ceramic art
🌲 Design Meaning – “Three Friends of Winter”
- Pine 🌲 – endurance and strength
- Bamboo 🎋 – integrity and flexibility
- Plum Blossom 🌸 – resilience and renewal
👉 Together they symbolize noble character and perseverance in adversity.
📏 Product Specifications
- Capacity: ~160ml
- Rim Diameter: 97mm
- Base Diameter: 111mm
- Bowl Height: 56mm
- Total Height (with lid): 89mm
📦 Packaging: Premium gift box
📍 Origin: Jingdezhen, China
🫖 How to Use
- Add tea leaves into the gaiwan
- Pour hot water to brew
- Cover with lid and steep
- Tilt lid slightly to filter leaves
- Pour into cups and enjoy
🔍 How to Identify Authentic Underglaze Copper Red
✔ Natural color variation (not uniform red)
✔ Slight flowing and diffusion in patterns
✔ Layered tones (red, green, gray hues)
✔ Hand-painted details (not printed)
👉 Authentic copper red is vivid yet subtle, never overly bright or artificial.
⚠️ Handmade Notice
- Each piece is unique
- Slight variations in color and pattern are normal
- Natural kiln effects create one-of-a-kind results
👉 This is the beauty of true handmade porcelain.
🚚 Shipping
🌍 Free Worldwide Shipping
- Processing time: 1–3 business days
- Delivery time: 7–15 business days
- Tracking included
🔁 Return & Refund Policy
- Returns accepted within 7 days (damaged items only)
- Must be unused and in original packaging
- Photo proof required
- Refund issued after inspection
❓ FAQ
Q1: Is this handmade?
Yes, each piece is fully handmade and hand-painted.
Q2: Why is copper red so special?
Because it is extremely difficult to control during firing, making each piece rare.
Q3: Will every piece look the same?
No, each one is unique due to kiln variations.
Q4: Is it suitable for daily use?
Yes, but handle with care as fine porcelain.
Q5: Is it collectible?
Yes, due to its craftsmanship and historical technique.
💎 Brand Story
Sanlu focuses on preserving traditional Jingdezhen ceramic craftsmanship.
Each piece reflects:
- Heritage techniques
- Artistic expression
- Cultural symbolism
👉 More than tea ware—it is a piece of living history.
