The Architect’s Chalice: Ming Jun & Underglaze Red “Ya Shou” Cup

Hand-pressed Master Cup | Yong Ming Shang Wan Studio | Wood-fired Alchemy | 140ml

In the ritual of tea, some vessels speak of elegance, while others speak of power. The Architect’s Chalice is a 140ml “Ya Shou” cup that embodies the peak of Jingdezhen’s first-tier kiln mastery. It is a dialogue between the “Rugged Clumsiness” of ancient stone and the imperial grandeur of the celestial vault.

The Sensation of “Ya Shou” (Hand-Pressing)

The Ya Shou Bei is a legendary Ming Dynasty silhouette, famously perfected during the Yongle era.

• The Grip: The name literally translates to “Hand-pressing Cup.” It is designed with a perfectly calibrated center of gravity and a flared rim that fits the arc of the hand.

• The Gravity: Weighing more than a standard cup, it provides a substantial “Ya Shou Gan” (Hand-pressure weight)—a tactile reassurance that anchors your spirit during every pour.

The Exterior: The Stillness of Ming Jun

The outer walls are a revival of the Ming Dynasty Jun-style glaze.

• Kiln Change (Yáo Biàn): Through high-temperature reduction firing in a pine-wood kiln, the glaze achieves a masterful fusion of deep charcoal, tea-brown, and misty ochre.

• Oily Matte Texture: The surface is thick, unctuous, and matte. It does not reflect light; it absorbs it. Every cup is a “One-of-a-Kind” soul, with the flow of the glaze mirroring the shifting shadows of a primeval forest.

The Interior Heart: The Red Caisson

Within the cup lies a hidden architectural marvel: a hand-painted Caisson (Zǎo Jǐng) in rare Underglaze Red.

• Symbolism: The Zao Jing is the ornate, coffered ceiling of ancient Chinese temples, representing the “Universe” looking down.

• Mastery over Copper: Underglaze red is the most difficult technique in Jingdezhen, requiring surgical control over the kiln’s oxygen. The artisans at Yong Ming Shang Wan have mastered this “Fire Alchemy,” producing a stable, vibrant crimson that remains crisp and clear beneath the oil-rich glaze.

The Pedigree: Yong Ming Shang Wan (永明尚玩)

Founded by Master Feng Bin, who began his scholarly journey in 2001, this studio is now a leader in Original Ore Underglaze Red.

• Ancestral Materials: Using natural mineral cobalt and wood-ash glazes aged for years, their work is 100% hand-thrown and hand-painted. There are no mass-produced shortcuts—only the honest “Temperature of the Hand.”

Curator’s Verdict

“The ‘Ya Shou’ cup is for the person who values the ‘Weight of Truth.’ I chose this piece because it feels like holding a piece of an ancient palace in your palm. The contrast between the stony, dark exterior and the imperial red ‘Sky’ inside is breathtaking. At 140ml, it is a substantial companion for our Sovereign Bloom Keemun, designed to grow oilier and more soulful with every year of use.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator