Description
100% Hand-Painted Blue and White Porcelain Teacup: Underglaze Red Outlined Dragon Ya Shou Cup
This extraordinary Ya Shou Cup (Hand-Pressing Cup) showcases a masterful contrast of techniques. Hand-thrown and 100% hand-painted in Jingdezhen, it features a five-clawed dragon rendered in underglaze red, coiled around a body of dense underglaze blue clouds. The result is a dynamic, one-of-a-kind piece that seems to move in the hand.
A Dragon in Motion: Line-Drawn Red Against Solid Blue
The dragon is painted entirely in underglaze red using only line work—its scales are outlined without any fill color, giving the body a light, living quality. In striking contrast, the swirling clouds are rendered in rich, saturated underglaze blue, applied as thick, solid masses. This deliberate opposition of empty line and solid block creates a powerful sense of depth. The dragon coils around the cup, disappearing into the clouds on the opposite side.
Form and Structure: The Hand-Pressing Shape
The cup features the iconic Ya Shou profile: a flared rim, a gently rounded belly, and a small recessed foot. Designed to rest perfectly in the hand, the rim presses gently against the webbing between the thumb and index finger (the “tiger’s mouth”) for a secure, comfortable grip.
Interior Simplicity: A Single Red Cloud
The interior is almost entirely white, with only two blue lines tracing the inner rim and a single small red cloud at the center. It is a quiet, minimalist counterpoint to the richly decorated exterior.
Dimensions & Capacity (US Units)
- Diameter: 3.54 inches (9 cm)
- Height: 1.97 inches (5 cm)
- Full Capacity: 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)
- Ideal Brewing Capacity: 2.0 – 2.4 fl oz (60–70 ml)
Artisan Craftsmanship & Unique Collectability
- 100% Hand-Painted: Entirely hand-painted, not transfer-printed, ensuring every stroke is unique.
- High-Fired Porcelain: Both the underglaze blue and underglaze red are fired at high temperatures, making the decoration permanent and safe for daily use.
- Four-Character Mark: A traditional square mark in underglaze blue (“Song Mo Shan Fang”) is inscribed on the base, a signature of its Jingdezhen origin.
- One-of-a-Kind: This specific piece is truly unique. Only one available.
Whether you are a seasoned collector of Chinese ceramics or a daily tea drinker seeking a special piece, this one-of-a-kind blue and white porcelain teacup brings the rich heritage of Jingdezhen to your tea table.
