Tea Bowl

About

Brewing in a tea bowl is both elegant and simple because it only involves three things: the tea bowl, tea leaves and water.

Tea bowls are the earliest vessel for brewing tea, predating both the teapot and the gaiwan by several centuries.

Each teabowl in our collection is hand crafted by individual artists in Taiwan. They are interpretations of traditional Tianmu bowls popularized during the Song Dynasty, combining the aesthetic of traditional Chinese ceramics with the influence of a more modern Taiwanese style. Each bowl is individual and unique, and is the perfect vessel for brewing our finer teas.

History

We hope to introduce the tea bowl as a way of brewing loose leaf Chinese teas - our homage to an aged old ceramic tradition recast for modern tea brewing.

The tea bowl evolved in China as a vessel for preparing powdered teas. It first appeared during China's Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 420-589), but it wasn't until the first half of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) that tea itself, and the tea bowl used to brew it, became more widespread. Use of the tea bowl reached its height during the Song Dynasty (AD 960).

With the shift away from powdered teas, the tea bowl’s popularity waned. Today, its use is confined to the ceremonial brewing of Japanese macha.

We Recommend

A Classic Xu De Jia Celadon Tea Bowl, Round

Contemporary Xu De Jia Celadon Tea Bowl, Square

A tea bowl is a very personal vessel and is rarely shared. Selecting one is also a very personal experience. We offer three types of tea bowls for you to choose from: celadon and Tianmu bowls by ceramicist Xu De Jia, and wood fired bowls from ceramicst Liao Guo Hua. For first time owners, we recommend Xu De Jia's classic Round or Square bowls.

  • Liao Guo Hua Cha Wan, Jiu

    Liao Guo Hua Cha Wan, Jiu

    A hand-sculpted tea bowl from Taiwanese ceramicist Liao Guo Hua. The ochre and chocolate shades of this bowl, punctuated by red highlights, remind us of mid-century modern sunsets.
    $258.00
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  • Tianmu Tea Bowl, Er

    Tianmu Tea Bowl, Er

    Commissioned in January 2011 from Taiwanese ceramicist Xu De Jia, this dark shimmering Tianmu tea bowl features unique running drips and pools of glaze.

    Sold Out

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  • Tianmu Tea Bowl, San

    Tianmu Tea Bowl, San

    An exceptionally beautiful Tianmu glazed tea bowl from Taiwanese ceramicist Xu De Jia, marked by a unique marbling of black and brown.
    $238.00
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  • Tianmu Tea Bowl, Si

    Tianmu Tea Bowl, Si

    A hand-crafted tea Tianmu tea bowl from Taiwanese ceramicist Xu De Jia. The iron oxide spotting on the dark glaze resembles feathers on a partridge's breast.
    $238.00
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  • Celadon Tea Bowl, Round

    Celadon Tea Bowl, Round

    From master Taiwanese ceramicist Xu De Jia, the thick glazed white tea bowl is perfect for brewing lighter teas. The rich glaze pays homage to the renowned Song dynasty Ru kiln.
    $78.00
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  • Square Tea Bowls

    Celadon Tea Bowl, Square

    A modern take on the tea bowl, hand-sculpted and glazed in celadon or antique linen by Taiwanese ceramicist Xu De Jia. Each bowl will patina and develop a beautiful network of cracks with use.

    2 styles for $78.00

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