Gaiwan & Tea cup Set - white shino on porcelain (no.1)

A gaiwan is a Chinese type of vessel for steeping tea, like a teapot but without a spout or handle.  It is a  lidded bowl used for the infusion of tea leaves and the consumption of tea. Invented during the Ming dynasty, they are most commonly used with high grade, whole leaf teas with delicate flavours.  

This set is hand made of porcelain with a Japanese style shino glaze in a high fire, reduction atmosphere.  The type of glaze and the reduction atmosphere result in carbon trapping, where carbon infuses into the glaze especially around hte rim and / or any texture creating a unique and irreproducible grey pattern.