In Chinese tea culture, a "Gaiwan" is a traditional vessel for brewing tea. It consists of three parts: a lid, a bowl, and a saucer. The name translates to "covered bowl," sometimes called a "three-talent cup," symbolizing heaven, humans, and earth.
The History
The Gaiwan has a long history, dating back for centuries. It first appeared during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) as a bowl with a lid. However, it wasn't called a tea bowl until the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Its popularity continued to grow during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), and its design became well-established.
The Advantages
The Gaiwan boasts several advantages.
- Its wide top and narrow bottom allow the lid to fit inside.
- The saucer adds stability and prevents burns.
- When you drink from the gaiwan, you can tilt the lid slightly to pour the tea while keeping the tea leaves inside and ensuring a smooth flow of tea.
- If you prefer stronger tea, you can stir the tea leaves with the lid, enhancing the infusion's strength.
The Common Materials
Gaiwans are made of different materials, like porcelain, Yixing clay, and glass.
Jingdezhen porcelain is well-known for its high quality and careful craftsmanship, making it a popular choice for many people.
Artisans create gaiwans from various materials and styles, each with unique characteristics.
Yixing Clay
These cups are really good for letting the tea breathe and soak in, which improves the flavor. But if you want to keep the flavors from mixing, porcelain gaiwans are the way to go.
Porcelain
Gaiwans come in different styles with various decorations and glazing techniques. Blue and white porcelain Gaiwans use cobalt oxide to create bright, long-lasting colors. Gaiwans with single-color glazing may be monochromatic but still capture a natural beauty.
Glass
They are transparent and perfect for brewing green or black tea, but they can get hot.
Why Gaiwan is Popular in China
Gaiwans are very popular in cities like Chengdu and Kunming in China. For instance, Chengdu has a unique tea culture and impressive tea-brewing techniques.
Gaiwans have practical, cultural, scientific, and artistic value. They have a long cultural history, are scientifically adaptable, and combine aesthetics with functionality.
Common Shapes
Tea Cup
The Gaiwan is a popular vessel for making and enjoying tea. It is a simple design with three parts: a bowl, a lid, and a saucer. The lid is used to steep the tea leaves and strain them out when pouring the tea into the bowl, while the saucer catches any spills.
The Gaiwan originated in the Eastern Jin dynasty. It evolved from the practice of brewing tea in a small bowl and then pouring it into a saucer to cool before consumption. This lidded bowl allowed for both brewing and consuming tea in the same vessel, making it a versatile choice for tea enthusiasts.
Flared Mouth
The rim flares outward, making handling easier without burning your fingers.
Rounded
A rounded belly enhances the tea's aroma and flavor through better heat retention.
Chrysanthemum Petal
Shaped like chrysanthemum petals, open-mouthed with a slightly flared rim, rounded belly, flat base, and short foot. The renowned Tuo Tai Zhu Qi Chrysanthemum Petal Gaiwan is housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing.
Chicken Cup
Open mouth, deep belly, circular base, often decorated with intricate chicken designs, exemplifying detailed artistry.
High-Footed
This pottery style's tall base was popular during the Qing Dynasty in China. Artists often adorn this type of pottery with intricate designs and patterns, typically in shades of blue and white. Using fence, enamel, and other single-color glazes adds depth and texture to the pieces, making them visually striking.
These Chinese pottery pieces are popular because they are well-made and have intricate details. Collectors and fans are very interested in them. The pieces showcase the skill and creativity of the artisans who made them, blending traditional techniques with artistic flair.
The Gaiwan provides a look into Chinese tea culture and is a versatile tool for brewing and enjoying different types of tea in Jingdezhen porcelain.
