Five Elements Harmony — Handcrafted Ceramic Tea Cup Gift Set

In the poetic symbolism of the Five Elements — Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth — each cup embodies a quiet philosophy of balance and renewal.

This tea cup set features five individually crafted ceramic cups, each representing one of the Five Elements in Chinese cosmology. From the lustrous metallic sheen of Metal, the celadon crackle of Wood, the flowing blue glaze of Water, the vibrant red of Fire, to the warm ochre texture of Earth — every cup is shaped to reflect a distinct elemental energy and visual mood.

Each piece is finished with a unique kiln-fired glaze, producing subtle variations in tone and texture that echo the beauty of nature’s transformation. The result is a tea set that honors traditional craftsmanship while inviting mindfulness and harmony into modern tea rituals.

Perfect as a refined gift or personal collection, this set blends the spirit of wabi-sabi with the enduring wisdom of the Five Elements.

Includes: 5 × Porcelain tea cups (140ml each), presented in a custom-designed gift box with matching gift bag.

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: 5 × Porcelain tea cups (140ml each), presented in a custom-designed gift box with matching gift bag.
• Dimensions: Tea Cup: 7.8 × 4.9 cm
• Capacity: Tea Cup: 140ml
  
• 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.
• Five Elements-Inspired Color Harmony — This tea cup set draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese cosmology of the Five Elements : Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each element symbolizes a distinct energy and personality — Metal for strength and clarity, Wood for growth and vitality, Water for fluidity and wisdom, Fire for passion and transformation, and Earth for grounding and nourishment. The design philosophy reflects a belief that there’s a cup meant for every soul, echoing the timeless connection between nature and self.
• Palette of Elemental Elegance — The five cups are individually glazed in pure, vibrant hues that reflect the spirit of their corresponding element. From the calm jade green of Wood to the rich crimson of Fire, the colors are carefully chosen to highlight both contrast and balance — embodying an aesthetic of unity within diversity.
• Symbol of Personal Resonance — Crafted from fine porcelain with a minimalist silhouette, each cup is not just a drinking vessel but a personal talisman. Whether gifted or collected, these cups invite mindful reflection and quiet rituals — a celebration of heritage, identity, and harmony through the ancient language of the elements.

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