The Imperial Heart: Ming-Style “Jixin” Qinghua Tea Cup

Hand-painted Blue & White Porcelain | Jian Tang Qi Studio | Inspired by Yongle & Xuande Era

The “Jixin” (Chicken Heart) cup is a cornerstone of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln lineage. First birthed during the Yongle reign (1403–1424) and perfected under Xuande (1426–1435), its silhouette represents the rhythmic balance of the Ming Dynasty’s golden age. At ZENTAOEAST, we present this masterful revival from the Jian Tang Qi Studio—a vessel that captures the “Ethereal Spirit” of the 15th century.

The Architecture of the “Heart”

The name Jixin (Chicken Heart) refers not to its rim, but to its hidden structural secret:

• The Geometry: The interior base is subtly concave, while the exterior base features a tiny, central protrusion, mimicking the shape of a heart.

• A Modern Evolution: While we honor the original proportions, this revival features a refined, higher foot. This subtle adjustment provides greater stability on the modern tea table and an elegant, upright stance in the palm.

The Language of the Brush: Sumali Blue

In the early Ming Dynasty, the introduction of “Sumali Blue” (Imported Cobalt) changed the course of art history. This cup is a technical homage to that era’s unique visual language:

• The Motifs: The exterior is dressed in deep blue Lotus Petals, slender and graceful—a hallmark of the Yongle style. The interior rim features delicate Intertwined Vines, while the foot wall is grounded by the ancient Fret Pattern.

• The Visual Soul: The painting captures the celebrated “Smudging Effect” and natural depth layers of the original cobalt. Look closely for the rhythmic “Black Iron Spots”—where the mineral has saturated the glaze—giving the cup the weathered, noble dignity of an heirloom.

The Source: Jian Tang Qi & The Fan Jia Jing Legacy

This piece originates from Jian Tang Qi, a discreet studio led by Ms. Huang. For over thirty years, Ms. Huang has dwelled in the heart of Fan Jia Jing, Jingdezhen’s historic cluster of artisanal workshops.

• The Artisan Ecosystem: Fan Jia Jing is often compared to Beijing’s Panjiayuan—a labyrinth of family studios where specialized masters spend decades perfecting a single stroke or a specific glaze.

• The ZENTAOEAST Vow: While Fan Jia Jing once bore the burden of a complicated reputation due to the antiquity trade, we hold a profound respect for the artisans who remain there. Their ability to “speak” with the ancients through the brush allows us to hold a piece of history today. This is not a replica; it is a continuation of the Path.

Curator’s Verdict

“When I hold this Jixin cup, I feel the ‘Bone Strength’ of the early Ming. It is leaner and more agile than the wares of later dynasties. I chose this specific piece from Ms. Huang because her painters understand the ‘Void’—the way the blue vines should breathe against the white porcelain. It is a ‘Lifelong Companion’ for the practitioner who appreciates the transition from the ruggedness of the earth to the crystalline clarity of the heavens.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator