Teaware Mei Leaf | Tree Skin Jianshui Cup

A Larger Cup Perfect For Solo Sessions, Half-Handmade By Master Potters From Jianshui Clay. Approx 75Ml To The Rim.

Sometimes A Larger Cup Is Just What Is Needed For Your Session. In Fact, Over The Years, I Have Been Tempted By Larger And Larger Cups, Especially For My Solo Sessions. Larger Cups Mean Less Filling And They Have A Satisfyingly Chunky Feel In The Hands.

This Tree Skin Pattern Cup Is Half-Handmade, Meaning That Some Moulds Are Used To Create A Unique, Tactile Texture On The Surface. It Is Lovely To Hold, With The Little Ridges Providing Grip And Texture In The Hands.The Straight Sides Make This An Easy Cup To Drink From While Giving A Rounded And Smooth Profile.

The Cups Have Been Polished To Show Off The Texture – Bronzed On The Outer Edges For Extra Contrast Visually.

About Jianshui Zitao

All Of Our Jianhsui Teaware Is Made By The Potter In The Video Below And Is Handcrafted Individually. Read More About The Unique Jianshui Production Process Below. Every Piece Is Totally Individual And There Are Natural Variations In Colour And Design.

Jianshui Clay Is Lesser Known Than Its Cousins, Yixing Purple Clay And Chaozhou Red Clay But Jianshui Has A Long History Of Clay Teaware Making And A Unique Style And Character Which We Love At Mei Leaf.

The Clay Used Comes From Five Different Ores From The Surrounding Hills Around Jianshui In Yunnan. The Five Ores (White, Yellow, Purple, Cyan And Five Colour) Are Blended And Cured To Make A Clay Which Is Strong And Stable With Excellent Heat Retention And Tea Softening Qualities.

Once The Clay Has Been Made, It Is Kneaded And Thrown On The Potter’S Wheel To Be Formed By Hand Without The Use Of Any Moulding. This Is Completely Handmade And A Testament To The Immense Skills Of The Jianshui Potters.

The Clay Wares Are Fired In Kilns For Up To 20 Hours At Around 1000 Degrees Celsius And Are Then Hand Sanded To Reveal Different Colours From Black To Bronze.