Oh what a beauty this Gaiwan is and I have not stopped using it since it arrived.
This is a small batch of 100-110ml Gaiwans fully handmade and wood-fired by Miroslav Zimmerman in the Czech republic.
The potter comes from a small village in the Bohemian Highlands where he collects all of his own clay and materials for his glazes. In this way he is celebrating the pottery tradition of his land while creating distinctly far-eastern styled wares.
I love the shape of this Gaiwan - upright and clean but with perfectly functional pouring curves and a stout stand to lower the ecentre of gravity making it a perfectly balanced piece.
The inner glaze is transparent, made by grinding stones and the outside of the Gaiwan has a slip glaze which adds textures and lines and fires a beautiful dark, glossy colour.
The genius detail is the raw clay left at the rim and the base. This adds visual character and tactile appeal but also has the function of gripping the lid while pouring and offering more friction for stability.
Wood firing brings life to each Gaiwan with random and natural personality in look and feel.
We commissioned only 26 of these so act quickly!
