Cloud Nest Gaiwan

This finely crafted celadon gaiwan stands out through its distinctive pale blue glaze and its exceptionally delicate porcelain body. Unlike many traditional celadon pieces that lean toward green tonalities, this piece reveals a soft, very light blue that can appear almost white depending on the light. The glaze is lightly translucent and visually unobtrusive, allowing the color of the infusion to be perceived clearly and without distraction.

Its form is notably flat and wide, making it especially well suited for brewing large-leaf teas. Twisted, large-leaf oolongs such as Dancong perform particularly well here, as the shape allows the leaves to fully unfurl and develop evenly. It is also an excellent vessel for Sheng Pu’er maocha, as larger, voluminous leaves can be handled and infused with ease, without breakage.

The artist Ling Yin Ping is based in Jingdezhen, widely regarded as the porcelain capital of the world. You may recognize his distinctive style from earlier works we have offered, such as the Cloud Gaiwan and the Heaven Set. His approach is defined by a preference for simple, balanced forms, influenced by his own tea practice and familiarity with teas such as Dancong. You can read more about our first visit to his shop and factory in 2019 in our blog post Exploring Jingdezhen, the Porcelain Capital.

Written by Karsten