Liu Studio Hand Painted Wood Fired Gaiwan

Origin: Jing De Zhen, China

Technique: Hand made and hand painted 

Material: pottery 

Firing: 1300C, 36 hours

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These seven stunningly unique wood fired Gaiwans are from Liu Studio in Jing De Zhen, China, and they are completely hand made by Master Liu Yan 柳岩, from throwing, to firing, and to painting. Master Liu is a local ceramic artist who has been living and making ceramic arts for more than 15 years in Jing De Zhen. Wood fired is a particular method of firing ceramics by using mostly pine wood and firing at around 1300C for three days. 

There are no two identical ones. Wood fired ceramics usually don’t use any glaze, but Master Liu glazed these Gaiwans with a special type of glazing material in order to create a shiny metallic look or a Chinese ink painting look. After he fired these Gaiwans, he then painted each one with a different mountain scenery or animals or Chinese mythical creatures from the ancient classic book “Shan Hai Jing”, or "Classic of Mountains and Seas", based on the final effect of each Gaiwan and each lid. You can also find his signature “柳岩” at the bottom of each Gaiwan. We are able to bring seven of them to you this year, and we hope to continue our collaboration with Liu studio in the future!

The pic sequence:

1. Green mountain scene. This one is particularly special since it's inspired by an ancient ink painting called "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains". You can read more about this ancient painting here. The design is painted both on the Gaiwan's bowl and the lid, while having a pink and ink color tone inside the bowl. The outside has a typical wood fired "Yin Yang" side, while one side on the bowl is rough texture, the other side has a metallic like smooth surface.

2. Bird with lotus fruit. This Gaiwan has a slightly more orange tone. The vivid bird is painted on the more metallic side and the design is also classic Chinese ink painting like.

3. The two ducklings scene. Ducklings in Chinese culture symbolize good fortune, and two ducklings usually symbolizes love and blessing for couples. 

4. The waterfall mountain scene. It has a very detailed beautiful ink painting like scene of a waterfall, mountains, pine trees, a pavilion, and a poet. 

5. Hong Yan. Hong Yan 魟燕 is a Chinese mythical creature from "Shan Hai Jing". The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a Chinese classic text dated as early as the 4th century and a compilation of mythic geography and beasts. Hong Yan is a sea creature that looks like a stingray. On one side of the bowl, there's a painting of Hong Yan based on the traditional painting from Shan Hai Jing, on the other side there's the creature's name written in Chinese. 

6. Yu Jing. Yu Jing 鱼井 is also a Chinse mythical creature from "Shan Hai Jing". The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a Chinese classic text dated as early as the 4th century and a compilation of mythic geography and beasts. Yu Jing is a sea creature that blows water from its head like a whale, but also has foot that can let him step on land. On one side of the bowl, there's a painting of Yu Jing based on the traditional painting from Shan Hai Jing, on the other side there's the creature's name written in Chinese. 

7. Magpie on the branch. This design is a rather poetic Chinese painting depicting a magpie on a single tree branch. Magpie always symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture and it's often painted on ceramics or housewares since ancient times. 

Dimension: diameter 9-11cm, height 8-10cm, volume 140-150ml