Stoneware・Glaze・Wood-fired

Liao Guo Hua’s studio and hand-built wood kiln perch on a pastoral hillside in Nantou, deep in the heart of Taiwanese tea country. This proximity is tangible in his work. His reverence for tea craft, history, and ritual can be seen in the minimal aesthetic of his forms. His pots honor the unpredictable and mysterious play of fire and ash inherent to wood kilns, and allow tea to take the center stage.

Tenmoku glaze dates back thousands of years, and was popular during the Song Dynasty for tea ware. Vessels glazed in this rich iron hue are traditionally simple, allowing for the subtle variations of color to shine. Starfall is speckled with flecks of ash and blooms of iron from the clay body. The rim is nearly metallic where the glaze breaks across the lip, and a swath of vivid blue peaks out from the field of dark sky.

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: 85mm tall, 85mm diameter, 300ml・Artist: 廖國華