Forbidden City Red “Celestial Crane” Teapot Set — Five-Piece Auspicious Tea Ceremony Gift Collection

In the auspicious glow of “Forbidden City Red,” graced by the soaring elegance of the imperial crane, a tea moment becomes a blessing of harmony, longevity, and refined beauty.

This porcelain tea set features a delicately crafted kettle (260 ml) and two matching cups (90 ml each), paired with a tea warmer and tray, all dressed in the distinctive Forbidden City Red Glaze — a hue inspired by the vermilion walls of the Forbidden City, symbolizing prosperity, joy, and enduring elegance. The surfaces are adorned with hand-painted cranes, an ancient emblem of noble grace, good fortune, and longevity in Chinese culture.

Drawing inspiration from imperial artistry, the design integrates the warmth of traditional red glaze with the serene charm of the “Ruihe” (auspicious crane), creating a visual narrative that bridges dynastic grandeur and modern refinement. The soft gradation from crimson to earthy tones adds depth, while the meticulous detailing captures a sense of poised movement, as if the cranes are in mid-flight over a timeless palace landscape.

Includes: 1 × 260 ml bamboo-handle porcelain kettle, 2 × 90 ml porcelain tea cups, 1 × tea stove, 1 × tea tray, 1 × alcohol lamp, 1 × gift box, 1 × gift bag — thoughtfully packaged for graceful gifting or treasured personal enjoyment.

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 × 260 ml bamboo-handle porcelain kettle, 2 × 90 ml porcelain tea cups, 1 × tea stove, 1 × tea tray, 1 × alcohol lamp, 1 × gift box, 1 × gift bag
• Dimensions: Kettle: 5.3 cm (Lid Opening Diameter) × 15.9 cm; Porcelain Tea Cup: 7.3 cm × 4.8 cm; Tea Stove: 10.9 cm × 9.2 cm; Tea Tray: 28.0 cm × 13.0 cm × 1.2 cm; Gift Box: 36.2 cm × 12.4 cm × 25.3 cm; Gift Bag: 40.0 cm × 13.2 cm × 28.0 cm
• Capacity: Tea Cup: 90ml; Kettle: 260 ml
• 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.
• The Forbidden City Red Elegance draws inspiration from the resplendent vermilion hues of the Forbidden City — a color historically reserved for imperial architecture, symbolizing power, prosperity, and timeless dignity. Its rich, warm tone evokes the grandeur of ancient palaces while bringing a sense of warmth and festivity to the tea ritual.
  
• Auspicious Crane Motif adorns each piece, drawing from the revered image of the crane in Chinese culture — a bird emblematic of longevity, nobility, and grace. Often called “Xianhe” (celestial crane) in ancient texts, it signifies purity of spirit, soaring ambition, and the promise of a blessed life.
• Hand-painted Detailing ensures every crane’s posture and plumage flows with lifelike elegance, echoing the poise of traditional Chinese ink paintings. The combination of Imperial Red and the pure white crane creates a striking visual contrast, conveying both refinement and vitality.

• This fusion of cultural symbolism and artisanal craftsmanship makes the set an ideal gift for weddings, milestones, or collectors, carrying the enduring wish for harmony, joy, and a prosperous future.

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