Silent Clay Muse – Handcrafted Porcelain Face Coffee Cup & Saucer Set

Where sculptural whimsy meets rustic craftsmanship — this “Silent Clay Face” cup and saucer set transforms every sip into an encounter with art.

This handcrafted ceramic mug set from Jingdezhen channels the raw charm of wabi-sabi aesthetics. Featuring a sculpted human face motif with bold lines and a textured clay surface, it blurs the boundary between functional vessel and artistic sculpture. Each piece is shaped and finished by hand, giving the cup its earthy tactility and unique expression.

With a generous 310ml capacity, a sturdy ear-shaped handle, and a matching saucer, it is perfect for lattes, cappuccinos, or slow morning brews. The organic brown glaze and tactile surface recall weathered stone, grounding modern rituals in timeless clay tradition.

Ideal for coffee lovers, design enthusiasts, or as an unforgettable gift, this set brings both playful character and artisanal depth to your daily table.

Includes (per set): 1 × coffee cup, 1 × saucer 

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 ×  coffee cup, 1 × saucer
• Dimensions: Cup: 9 × 8.2 cm; Saucer: 13 × 1.5 cm
• Capacity: 310ml
  
• 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.
• Sculptural Character — The cup’s three-dimensional face design turns an everyday vessel into a work of art. Its bold contours and textured surface invite touch, making each sip feel like a playful yet contemplative ritual.
• Earthen Warmth — Crafted from coarse-textured clay with a rustic glaze, the set carries the natural depth and grounding presence of earth. The warm brown tones and tactile finish create a sense of comfort and timeless authenticity.
• Expressive Utility — With its generous capacity and sturdy circular handle, the set balances artistic expression with daily practicality, suitable for morning coffee, slow brews, or as a striking display piece.

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