Cream PitcherA little prettier than necessary, this pitcher bears a swollen belly and an elegant spout that curls like a lily's lip. Completely enrobed in an opaque glaze, the creamy tone derived from an ancient recipe of plant ash, closer inspection reveals a craft of such fine precision as to almost conceal its hand thrown origins. Suggesting that there is more to what the eyes can see, this pitcher invites curious fingers to find its center of gravity and enjoy

For lovers of fruity yet subtle sheng

A piece to be used

red fruits

the taste is brightly acidic

The dark nuggets may not invite a second look

downy buds produce a smooth

but one that rewards paying close attention

where the shape and material create a grounded

The gaiwan is the most common tea vessel in China

The result is a tea that opens with floral top notes and a ripe

In its slow development

the flavour of this Sheng at first belies its age