Dunhuang Impressions — Handcrafted Ceramic Tea Cups

In the serene artistry of Dunhuang-Inspired Kiln Variations, a meeting of history, craftsmanship, and poetic charm unfolds — each sip becomes a journey through time.

This porcelain tea cup collection features two distinct styles — Shan Nian (善念, Kind Thought) and Shan Yuan (善缘, Auspicious Connection) — available individually or as a harmonious pair. Each cup is shaped by hand and adorned with meticulously painted gold accents, inspired by the timeless murals of the Dunhuang caves. The organic, undulating form recalls the texture of ancient earthen walls, while the gold detailing glimmers like fragments of sunlight captured in stone.

The design evokes the quiet grandeur of classical Chinese aesthetics, with a wabi-sabi imperfection that speaks of warmth, wisdom, and a mindful way of life. Whether purchased alone or as a set, these cups make a meaningful choice for collectors, tea connoisseurs, or as a gift imbued with blessings of kindness, good fortune, and enduring connections.

Includes: 1 × 110ml porcelain tea cup (Shan Nian or Shan Yuan), or 1 × set of 2 cups (Shan Nian + Shan Yuan).

Artisan Heritage

• Made in: Jingdezhen, China — celebrated as the “Porcelain Capital” for over a millennium. Nestled in the hills of Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen has been the beating heart of Chinese ceramics since the Song dynasty. Once home to imperial kilns producing wares exclusively for the royal court, its legacy lives on through generations of master artisans. Every piece from this region carries echoes of dynastic elegance, time-honored technique, and cultural refinement.
• Crafted by: Master artisans who inherit generations of traditional ceramic craftsmanship, shaping each piece entirely by hand using slow wheel-throwing and brush-glazing techniques
• Firing process: Kiln-fired at 1325°C for a full 24 hours, undergoing a rigorous 72-step journey from clay to porcelain — each stage enhancing its strength, resilience, and delicate tactility
• Legacy: Jingdezhen porcelain has graced royal courts, Silk Road caravans, and collectors' shelves around the world. Today, its legacy lives on through a quiet elegance that blends timeless form with contemporary soul

Product Details

• Set Includes: 1 × 110ml porcelain tea cup (Shan Nian or Shan Yuan), or 1 × set of 2 cups (Shan Nian + Shan Yuan).
• Dimensions: Shan Nian Tea Cup: 7 × 7 cm; Shan Yuan Tea Cup: 6 × 7 cm
• Capacity: Tea Cup: 110ml
• Material: High-fired porcelain with hand-brushed white slip coating (fen-yin technique). Matte finish with natural surface variation and exposed clay texture.
• Finish: High-quality glaze with subtle brushstroke texture, creating a refined visual depth. Each piece is handcrafted, with natural variations in tone and pattern that make it uniquely its own.

Meaning & Symbolism

• Fen-yin (white slipware) is a traditional ceramic technique where a layer of white slip — a liquid clay — is brushed over a darker clay body. Instead of smoothing or covering completely, the artist leaves the surface intentionally uneven, allowing the underlying material to show through. This creates a unique texture and depth, often called a “white blush” or “ceramic makeup.” Each piece reveals hand-brushed marks, thickness variations, and natural imperfections — a celebration of imperfection and individuality in handmade porcelain.
• Dunhuang-Inspired Wall Painting Motifs — Each cup carries the essence of ancient Dunhuang murals, adorned with hand-painted gold accents that glimmer like candlelight within cave sanctuaries. The design evokes the serene beauty and profound spirituality of Buddhist grotto art, as if one were transported across a millennium into the heart of the Mogao Caves.
• Artisanal Aged Texture — The subtly irregular glaze and organic contours mirror the weathered elegance of centuries-old relics, blending an antique patina with the purity of high-fired porcelain. This tactile finish offers both visual depth and a meditative calm to the tea-drinking experience.
• Symbolism of Shan Nian (善念, Kind Thought) and Shan Yuan (善缘, Auspicious Connection) — Shan Nian (善念, Kind Thought) embodies compassion, mindfulness, and the wish for goodness in all actions, while Shan Yuan (善缘, Auspicious Connection) signifies cherished bonds, meaningful encounters, and blessings that bring joy and harmony. Together, they form a message of peace, gratitude, and benevolence.
• Perfect as a personal tea companion, a contemplative gift, or a collector’s piece, these cups bridge the timeless artistry of Dunhuang with the quiet rituals of modern tea culture.

Craft Story: Jingdezhen

• Historical Significance: Nestled in the misty mountains of Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen has been crafting porcelain for over 1,700 years. The city’s kilns once produced imperial ware for Tang and Song courts, setting technical and aesthetic benchmarks that shaped East Asian ceramics for centuries.
• Ceramic Innovation: Beyond its legacy, Jingdezhen is a crucible of innovation — where traditional hand-throwing and glazing coexist with contemporary experimentation. Studios in the region continue to develop unique clay bodies, custom glazes, and sculptural techniques passed down through apprenticeships and artist guilds.
• Cultural Impact: From monochrome wares to celadon and blue-and-white porcelain, Jingdezhen’s artistic output has long been a cultural ambassador of Chinese craftsmanship. Its ceramics have crossed oceans, appearing in museum collections and collector circles from Kyoto to Amsterdam.
• Modern Renaissance: Today’s Jingdezhen is a vibrant creative hub — home to thousands of independent ceramic artists, design studios, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. The city bridges past and present, producing work that is both deeply rooted and globally relevant.
  

Care Instructions

• Dishwasher safe — suitable for everyday machine washing
• Microwave safe — porcelain is heat-resistant and beverage-safe

• Also easy to hand wash — gentle cleaning preserves the artisan texture and glaze