Stoneware・Wood-fired

A distinct reverence for tea drinking drives the work of Taiwanese master potter, Zhang Yun Cheng. His home sits in the hills of Nantou County, surrounded on all sides by tea gardens, a rich tableau of green and misty grey. In his latest series for Song Tea, the relationship between craft, culture, and context is directly reflected in the surface of the pots. While this tea bowl is unglazed, a lustrous patina catches in the light, the result of post-firing seasoning in tea.

A gently curved profile creates a piece that cradles perfectly in two hands, and subtle throw lines track the artist’s movement across the surface, a gesture recreated as your fingers naturally fall into the shallow spaces. One side of pot has been hit heavily with ash from the five day firing, which vitrified on the surface like glass. The smooth, iron rich clay body, and metallic patina lend this piece a sense of gravity that is visually mistaken for weight. This bowl is deceptively light.

About Tea Bowls

In Taiwan, tea bowls are often used to drink loose leaf tea. It's quite simple and works wonders on most of our teas.

Simply warm a tea bowl, add tea leaves, and add water. We suggest using 1 to 2 grams less tea than our normal recommended dosage. Fill the bowl 2/3 of the way to the top. Pour a steady stream of water over the leaves to help them settle to the bottom. Steep until leaves have just opened. Sip, and add more water if necessary.

Usage and care: Hand-wash only, without soap or detergent.

Approximate dimensions: 87mm tall, 110mm diameter, 400ml・Artist: 張允澄