I have fallen head over heels with this gorgeous work of artistry. We have only 19 individual pieces in stock!
This prized 120ml pot is handmade by Master Li who is recognised in China as an inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage for his spectacular work in Porcelain.
It is made from Dehua clay with an ash glaze and I am convinced that the clay is interacting with tea. I find that brews emerging from this pot are softer and thicker without changing the flavour of the tea. It is an all-star pot suitable for all tea types.
The clay has been wood-fired to over 1200 celsius so that the floating wood-ash melts on the surface of the clay to form a 'natural falling ash glaze'. This glaze has a restrained shimmering look with natural variations and colours giving the pot a natural warmth.
Master Li has then applied his porcelain mastery to drape the pot with a craquelure glaze.
I have seen many 'dripping glaze' teawares over the years but this one looks and feels so unique.
The warm jade melds and flows over the clay in varying thicknesses so as to cover the clay completely or leave the clay peaking out through the glaze in a blend of colours.
The glaze itself has varying hues from dark sake green to rich burgundy. It is a feast for the eyes and the hands.
Master Li is quite secretive about this glaze technique as part of his Cultural Heritage Inheritance so I have no more information to share except that this is a whole other level of dripping glaze to other examples that I have seen out there. It is simply sublime artistry.
Performance on this pot is spot on too.
The filter is a large clay ball filter with over 30 holes for fast and smooth pours. The balance in the hand is exemplary.
This is a treasure and the perfect gift for yourself or any teahead deserving of a special piece in their collection.
