Hand-Painted Lotus Blue and White Gaiwan – Wood-Fired, 200 mL

A hand-painted lotus gaiwan from Jingdezhen

This 200 mL blue and white gaiwan brings scrolling lotus flowers to a classic three-piece tea vessel: bowl, lid and matching saucer. Handmade in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China, it features hand-painted underglaze blue decoration and traditional wood firing. The pale porcelain ground gives the deep blue brushwork a clear, expressive contrast.

The flared bowl, raised lid knob and footed saucer form a balanced silhouette for gongfu tea brewing. The listed capacity is the approximate full-water capacity; leave room for tea leaves and use less water during brewing.

Lotus scroll decoration, inside and out

The pattern is known in Chinese as chanzhilian, or lotus scroll: blossoms and leaves connected by curling stems. The continuous vine motif expresses wishes for enduring vitality and continuity. A geometric key-fret border frames the bowl rim and lid, while a lotus medallion decorates the bowl interior.

Look closely at the varying blue tones and the individual painted lines. The decoration is painted beneath the glaze; differences in brushwork, glaze appearance and colour are part of the character of handmade, wood-fired ceramics.

Handmade porcelain and traditional wood firing

The supplied workshop materials describe hand forming, hand painting and high-temperature wood firing. They identify pine wood as the firing fuel and show vessels placed in protective ceramic saggars. Firing requires a team to load the kiln, tend the fire and monitor the changing firing conditions.

Wood firing can produce subtle differences in glaze tone and surface character between pieces. The photographs below illustrate the ceramic-making process from the supplied workshop materials; they do not identify an individual maker of this gaiwan.

A closer look at the kiln process

The kiln photographs show the brick-lined chamber, stacked saggars, prepared firewood and the firing team. Saggars hold and protect ceramic vessels during firing. These process views offer context for the wood-fired finish rather than a guarantee that every piece will have an identical surface.

From adding leaves to pouring tea

The open bowl lets you observe the leaves and infusion. Adjust the lid to make a small pouring gap, then decant into a serving pitcher. The raised knob provides a place to rest a finger when controlling the lid; handle carefully because the porcelain and steam become hot.

Product video

Watch this gaiwan during a tea session, including filling the bowl and pouring the infusion. Other vessels and accessories in the demonstration are used for staging; this listing is for the gaiwan bowl, lid and saucer.

Specifications

Craft	Handmade; hand-painted underglaze blue decoration; wood-fired
Material	Porcelain (ceramic)
Origin	Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China
Pattern / colour	Blue and white lotus scroll
Capacity	Approximately 200 mL, full-water capacity
Bowl diameter	Approximately 10.7 cm
Overall height	Approximately 9.2 cm
Bowl height	Approximately 5.4 cm
Saucer diameter	Approximately 11.5 cm
Included pieces	Gaiwan bowl, lid and matching saucer
Retail price	US$575

Measurements are approximate. Hand forming and painting can result in slight variations in dimensions, decoration and colour. Lighting and screen settings can also affect the appearance of the blue and glaze.

Use and care

Rinse before first use. Add tea leaves, brew to suit the tea, and pour carefully through the lid gap. Let the gaiwan cool before washing, avoid sudden temperature changes, and clean gently with a soft cloth or sponge. Dry the bowl, lid and saucer before storing.