Shino・Stoneware・Wood-fired

This stoneware tea bowl is the only one in the shino collection that was not knife-cut and faceted. Instead, the bowl was hand-thrown by the artist with a comfortable cinch in the middle, making it sit comfortably in the hand.

Before entering a wood-kiln for a long five day firing, this bowl was given a thin shino exterior glaze, and a thicker interior glaze. The interior glaze was formulated to “crawl”, an effect that creates a dreamy, cloud-like pattern on the surface, with swirls of color against white. On the exterior surface, firing produced a smooth and glossy surface.

This piece’s uniquely patterned and colored surfaces indicate a good amount of wood-ash assistance in the kiln. Juicy drips run into the interior from the bowl’s edge, mirrored by a glassy section with iron crystals on one outer surface. Fine crazing on the thicker glazed portions of this bowl will continue to patina and fill in with use and with age.

The rounded surfaces of this bowl fits comfortably in the hand. Its proportions and thickness also gives the bowl a comfortable weight.

Approximate dimensions: 90mm tall, 105mm diameter, 325ml・Artist: 張允澄

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, mild detergent is ok.