Description

Introduction

A gaiwan painted with flowers in famille rose enamels on a white ground; decoration is on the outside only, the inside is plain white.

Specifications

Craftsmanship

Famille rose (fencai) is an overglaze technique: the white porcelain is first glaze-fired, then painted with soft enamel colours and fired a second time at a lower temperature (roughly 700–800°C). The enamels allow delicate shading, but sit on top of the glaze, so they should be treated gently.

How to Use

Warm the gaiwan with hot water, add leaves, pour in water and cover. To pour, hold the saucer with your thumb and middle finger, keep the lid slightly open with your index finger and decant into a fair cup or tasting cups.

Care

Wash by hand with warm water and a soft sponge; avoid abrasive scourers. Do not expose to sudden temperature changes. Hand-made and hand-painted pieces vary slightly in colour, pattern and size; photos are for reference. Overglaze enamels are softer than the glaze beneath; do not scrub the painted areas.

Sample product: placeholder content for layout preview, to be replaced with real product data. Photos are illustrative (Wikimedia Commons, see Image Credits).