The Celestial Basin: Ming Jun & Underglaze Red Puerh Cup

Handcrafted Shallow-Belly Vessel | Yong Ming Shang Wan Studio | Wood-fired Mastery | 95ml

In the choreography of tea, the Puerh cup is the final stage where the leaf’s “Qi” meets the light. The Celestial Basin is a 95ml vessel that embodies the “Architecture of Silence” in a focused, intimate scale. Crafted by the elite Yong Ming Shang Wan studio, it is a dialogue between the deep blue shadows of the earth and the vibrant red soul of the heavens.

The Form: Designed for the Soul of Puerh

This cup features a classic Shallow-Belly & Open-Mouth (Qiǎn Fù Chǎng Kǒu) silhouette.

• The Utility: The broad surface area allows high-temperature brews, such as aged Puerh or Wuyi Rock Tea, to cool gracefully, revealing the layered sweetness and mineral depth of the tea.

• The Aesthetic: Its low, steady profile conveys a sense of “Ancestral Gravity”—sitting firmly upon the tea table with a dignity that matches the aged essence of the infusion it cradles.

The Exterior: The Deep Azure of Ming Jun

The outer walls are dressed in a thick, unctuous revival of Ming Dynasty Jun-style glaze.

• Glaze as Decoration: Following the principle of “Glaze over Ornament,” the decoration is the material itself. The high-temperature reduction fire has created a rich, milky-opaque effect, where strokes of deep indigo, charcoal, and tea-brown flow together.

• Tactile Stillness: The surface is matte yet “moist” to the touch, offering a “Rugged Clumsiness” that feels like a stone polished by a mountain stream. No two cups are identical; each is a “One-of-a-Kind” soul born from the flame.

The Interior: The Underglaze Red Caisson

The centerpiece of this vessel is the hand-painted Caisson (Zǎo Jǐng) at the heart of the bowl, rendered in rare Underglaze Red.

• Celestial Geometry: The Zao Jing is the ornate, coffered ceiling found in ancient Chinese temples, representing the cosmic vault. By placing this motif within the cup, the artisan transforms every sip into a ritual of looking toward the sky.

• The Alchemical Crimson: Underglaze red is the most volatile of techniques. The masters at Yong Ming Shang Wan have achieved a stable, quiet vermillion that radiates a warming energy, providing a stunning visual contrast to the cool blue of the exterior.

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

Founded by Master Feng Bin, this studio is recognized as a leader in Pine Wood-fired porcelain.

• Uncompromising Standards: They utilize aged wood-ash glazes and 100% manual throwing and painting. Every piece is signed with the studio’s mark: “Yǒng Míng” (永明).

Curator’s Verdict

“I chose this specific Puerh cup because of its ‘Balance of Temperature.’ The deep blue exterior provides a sense of cool, stoic protection, while the red caisson inside offers an immediate, visceral warmth. At 95ml, it fits perfectly in the palm, encouraging you to slow down and admire the tea’s color against the red vault of the bowl. It is a ‘Lifelong Companion’ for the serious Puerh enthusiast.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator