The Celestial Vault: Ming-style Jun Glaze & Underglaze Red Gaiwan

Handcrafted Wood-fired Masterpiece | Yong Ming Shang Wan Studio | 160ml

In the “Architecture of Silence,” every vessel contains a universe. The Celestial Vault is a 160ml Gaiwan that embodies the peak of Jingdezhen’s “First-tier” kiln mastery. It is a dialogue between the unpredictable alchemy of kiln-change and the rigorous geometry of ancient imperial architecture.

The Form: The Ingot of Stability

The vessel is designed in the classic “Yuan Bao” (Ingot) silhouette—a shape defined by its wide, dignified shoulders and a stable, weighted base.

• The Grip: The ergonomic curve of the rim ensures a “Hand-friendly” hold, allowing for a decisive and smooth pour that honors the “Qi” of the tea.

• The Stance: It sits on the tea table with the unshakable presence of an ancestral bronze, providing a sense of grounding for your ritual.

The Exterior: The Alchemy of Ming Jun

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

• Kiln Change (Yáo Biàn): Through high-temperature reduction firing, the glaze flows naturally, creating a fusion of deep charcoal, tea-brown, and misty bluish-gray.

• Tactile Stillness: The surface is thick, “oily,” and matte. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, offering a “Rugged Clumsiness” that feels like weathered mountain stone in the palm. No two pieces are identical; each is a “One-of-a-Kind” soul born of the flame.

The Interior Secret: The Underglaze Red Caisson

The true soul of this Gaiwan is hidden within. At the center of the bowl is a hand-painted Caisson (Zǎo Jǐng) motif in rare Underglaze Red.

• Architectural Wisdom: The Zao Jing is the ornate, coffered ceiling found in ancient Chinese palaces and temples, symbolizing the “Heavens.”

• Technical Triumph: Underglaze red is notoriously difficult to fire, often turning black or grey. The master at Yong Ming Shang Wan has achieved a stable, vibrant crimson that remains crisp and clear beneath the glaze—a testament to twenty years of scientific and artistic struggle.

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

Founded by Master Feng Bin, a scholar-artisan who began his journey in 2001, this studio is now recognized as a top-tier house for Pine Wood-fired porcelain.

• Ancestral Materials: They utilize natural raw cobalt and wood-ash glazes that have been aged for years.

• The 100% Rule: Every piece is hand-thrown, hand-trimmed, and hand-painted. There are no mass-produced decals here—only the honest “Temperature of the Hand.”

Curator’s Verdict

“When you look into this Gaiwan, you are looking at the ceiling of the universe. I chose this piece from Feng Bin’s studio because of its ‘Internal Radiance.’ The contrast between the rugged, stony exterior and the regal red interior is a perfect metaphor for the human spirit: resilient on the outside, vibrant and clear on the inside. It is a ‘Lifelong Companion’ for the practitioner who understands that true stillness is an architectural feat.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator