Hand-Painted Blue & Copper Red “Double-Sided” Gaiwan

Original Ore Minerals | 1350°C Reduction Firing | Yu Qi Studio (Yu Jiang Nan) | 150ml

“A symphony of ice and fire, fully hand-painted across every surface.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we seek teaware that captures the untamed spirit of the kiln. This Underglaze Blue and Copper Red Gaiwan is the magnum opus of Master Cao Yi, founder of Yu Qi Studio (昱器陶瓷), also known as Yu Jiang Nan (昱江南). Master Cao is a rare artisan who embraces the “risk of the fire,” refusing to use chemical stabilizers in his pursuit of the ultimate Northern Song and Ming Dynasty aesthetics.

The Vessel: A Two-Piece Minimalist Statement

This is a sophisticated Two-Piece Gaiwan (consisting of the lid and the bowl). While it does not come with a matching saucer, it is designed with a focused, balanced silhouette.

• Curator’s Tip: For a complete ceremony, we offer a matching Teapot Stand (Hucheng) from the same Blue & Copper Red collection, creating a cohesive and dignified tea stage.

The Alchemy: The Untamed Copper Red

Underglaze Red (Youlihong) is famously known as the most difficult glaze to master. By using original ore copper red without stabilizers, Master Cao faces a 70% failure rate.

• The 30% Survivor: A temperature shift of just 10°C can cause the red to blacken or disappear. The pieces that survive are “Kiln Mutations” (Yao Bian)—the red is not a flat industrial tone, but a layered, organic hue that breathes with handmade temperature.

• Vibrant Blue: The Qinghua (Blue) is equally layered, shifting from purplish-blue to pale azure based on the flow of the fire, avoiding the “stagnant” look of mass-produced porcelain.

The Motif: A Masterpiece of “Dian Gong” (Point-Painting)

This Gaiwan features Full-Body Decoration—every interior and exterior surface, including both sides of the lid, is meticulously hand-painted using the “Dian Gong” (点工) stippling technique.

• The Exterior (The Fire): Adorned with lush Intertwining Lotus (Chán Zhī Lián) in Copper Red. The blossoms are full and the vines are rhythmic, creating a warm, imperial presence.

• The Interior (The Ice): Upon lifting the lid, a cool world of Blue Intertwining Lotus is revealed on the interior walls and the underside of the lid. A band of Scrolling Grass (Juǎn Cǎo) encircles the rim, harmonizing the internal and external designs.

• The Details: The rim, knob-base, and bowl-edge are framed by blue double rings, while the foot is decorated with a classical Upright Lotus (Yǎng Lián) pattern.

The Mark: Yu Jiang Nan Cao Yi Zhi

The base carries the hand-painted seal script (Zhuanshu) mark: “昱江南曹毅制” (Yu Jiang Nan Cao Yi Zhi). This signature confirms the vessel was personally crafted by Master Cao Yi, ensuring its value as a contemporary heirloom.

Curator’s Verdict

“Master Cao Yi’s Gaiwan is for the practitioner who understands that perfection lies in the unique. Because he uses original minerals without stabilizers, the ‘Red’ in your Gaiwan is a moment in time that can never be repeated. I love the ‘surprise’ of the blue interior—it creates a beautiful dialogue as you pour. This 150ml vessel is a powerful Master Cup that demands attention on any tea table.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator