Yaozhou Ware Olive Green Flower-mouth “Petal” Cup

Handcrafted in Huangbao | Mt. Ta’er Mineral Glaze | San Shi Studio | 110ml

“The elegance of a frozen bloom; the soul of Northern Song celadon captured in olive green.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we find beauty in the quiet strength of the classics. This Olive Green Flower-mouth Cup is an original creation from the San Shi Studio (叁石工作室), released under their esteemed “Yang Shan” (仰山) brand. Handcrafted in Huangbao—the ancient cradle of Yaozhou Ware—this cup is a celebration of the “Huakou” (Flower-mouth) silhouette, a form that once graced the most sophisticated tea tables of the Song Dynasty.

The Glaze: The Essence of Mt. Ta’er (塔尔山)

The depth of this cup’s color is a direct result of its connection to the Shaanxi soil.

• Mineral Stone Glaze: The studio utilizes traditional recipes, grinding natural stones sourced from Mt. Ta’er to create the glaze. This is the historic mineral heart of the Yaozhou kilns.

• Imperial Olive Green: Fired to a lustrous Olive Green (橄榄绿), the glaze is thick and “oily,” possessing a jade-like depth that shifts beautifully under natural light. It represents the pinnacle of northern celadon coloration—sober, deep, and refined.

The Silhouette: The Petal Rim (Huā Kǒu)

The “Flower-mouth” design is a tribute to the organic beauty of a blooming flower.

• Undulating Elegance: The rim is hand-shaped into gentle, symmetrical lobes, mimicking the petals of a lotus or peony. This form breaks the rigidity of the circular cup, adding a sense of lightness and grace.

• Tactile Comfort: The flared petal rim is designed to fit perfectly against the lips, guiding the tea liquor across the palate with precision, while the tapered body sits comfortably in the palm.

The Studio: A Thousand-Year Continuity

Located in Huangbao, Tongchuan, San Shi Studio operates at the very site where Yaozhou Ware was born in the Tang Dynasty. Their brand, “Yang Shan” (仰山), translates to “Looking up to the Mountain,” reflecting their reverence for the ancient masters and the relentless pursuit of ceramic perfection.

About Yaozhou Ware (耀州窑)

A legendary name in Northern Chinese ceramics, Yaozhou Ware reached its absolute zenith during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is world-renowned for its “vigorous and fluid” carving and its exquisite olive-green glazes. While many imperial kilns faded into history, the lineage of Yaozhou has persisted through the centuries in Shaanxi, allowing contemporary studios like San Shi to preserve this “Olive Green” heritage for today’s connoisseurs.

Curator’s Verdict

“The Yang Shan Flower-mouth Cup is a masterclass in ‘Sublime Subtraction.’ Without the signature carvings, the focus is entirely on the Mt. Ta’er mineral glaze. I am fascinated by the ‘oily’ luster of this piece—it feels warm, almost like a polished river stone. At 110ml, it is a versatile size that works beautifully as a Master Cup for those who appreciate the understated dignity of Northern Song style.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator