Symbolic Cup

For the Chinese classicist who enjoys studying language and symbolic meaning, this wide cup is glazed in a simple speckled white with a brown rim, then embellished with a painted pattern resembling a wooden screen with the symbol of shou, for longevity, in a blue band around its circumference. Thicker walls mean one can admire the nuanced shading on a daily basis, and it pairs well with neutral or similarly-embellished teaware, especially the alternate designs of the Pastoral Cup and Tradition Cup.

Why is the cup so small?

This cup is designed for the traditional Chinese tea preparation (gong fu cha). The tea is steeped for a short time in a small teapot and served in tiny cups (cha bei).

The same leaves are infused multiple times, and the flavour changes with each infusion. This procedure maximises the aroma of the tea, revealing its subtle nuances.