Hand-Painted Jingdezhen Orchid Gaiwan Tea Set – 3-Piece Porcelain Lidded Cup with Saucer, Collectible Art

A tea ritual, elevated to art.

 

This is not a teacup. This is a gaiwan — the traditional Chinese lidded tea vessel used for over 300 years to brew and drink tea in its purest form. And this one is a hand-painted masterpiece from Jingdezhen.

 

The Set (3 Pieces, One Painting)

 

Each gaiwan set includes:

 

• The Lid  — Fits precisely to trap aroma and control steeping temperature
• The Bowl  — The main vessel, with an elegant flared rim for easy sipping
• The Saucer  — Catches heat and drips, completing the set

 

The orchid design flows seamlessly across all three pieces. Blue-green leaves and coral-orange blossoms are painted in traditional freehand brushwork — no stencils, no decals, no transfers. When the three pieces are assembled, the painting forms one continuous composition.

 

Why Orchids?

 

In Chinese culture, the orchid  is one of the Four Gentlemen  — the four plants that symbolize the noble qualities of a scholar. The orchid represents:

 

• Elegance and refinement
• Humility (it blooms quietly, without show)
• Integrity (it grows in deep valleys, unseen but unfading)
• Friendship (giving orchid paintings was the highest gesture of respect between scholars)

 

A gaiwan painted with orchids is not just a tea tool — it's a statement of taste and character.

 

Why Jingdezhen?

 

Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi Province, has been the world's porcelain capital for over 1,000 years. Since the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), master artisans here have perfected techniques that cannot be replicated by machines. Each piece is:

 

• Hand-thrown on a wheel
• Hand-painted with mineral pigments
• Fired at over 1,300°C
• Individually inspected before leaving the kiln

 

The cobalt blue and iron-red pigments fuse permanently into the glaze during firing — they will never fade, chip, or wash away.

 

What's Unique About This Set

 

• No two sets are identical — every brushstroke is unique
• Three-piece continuous painting — the design flows across lid, bowl, and saucer
• Functional art — designed for actual tea brewing, not just display
• Gift-ready — comes in a brocade-lined box 

 

 

 

• Material: High-quality Jingdezhen porcelain
• Paint: Traditional mineral pigments (cobalt blue + iron red/coral), hand-applied
• Pattern: Orchid blossoms and leaves in blue-green and coral-orange
• Capacity: Approx. 120–150ml (bowl)
• Bowl size: Approx. 9–10cm (diameter) × 6–7cm (height)
• Saucer size: Approx. 11–12cm (diameter)
• Weight (full set): Approx. 250–350g
• Firing temperature: Over 1,300°C
• Food safe: Yes. Lead-free and cadmium-free.
• Microwave safe: No (hand-painted pieces should not be microwaved)
• Dishwasher safe: No (hand wash only)
• Base mark: Unmarked — clean white porcelain foot, no factory stamp. This is consistent with artisan workshop pieces from Jingdezhen

 

How to Use a Gaiwan

 

1. Place loose-leaf tea in the bowl (3–5g for oolong, pu-erh, or green tea)
2. Pour hot water (80–95°C depending on tea type) over the leaves
3. Place the lid on top, slightly tilted to create a small gap
4. Wait 15–60 seconds (depending on desired strength)
5. Hold the saucer with one hand, use the lid to strain the leaves, and pour tea into a small cup
6. Repeat for multiple infusions — a good gaiwan can brew the same leaves 5–8 times

 

Care Instructions

 

• Hand wash only with warm water and mild soap
• Avoid sudden temperature changes (don't pour boiling water into a cold gaiwan)
• Not suitable for microwave or dishwasher
• Dry with a soft cloth to preserve the glaze finish
• Store in the gift box when not in use to protect from dust and knocks

 

Perfect For

 

• Tea enthusiasts who appreciate the traditional gaiwan brewing method
• Collectors of fine Chinese ceramics and hand-painted porcelain
• Gift-givers seeking something truly unique and culturally meaningful
• Home decorators who appreciate functional art with Eastern elegance
• Yoga/meditation practitioners who value mindful rituals
• Lovers of orchids and botanical art