Hanging Coffee Culture and Ru Ware Tea Set Prices
Ru ware, one of the five great official kilns of the Song Dynasty, is known for its pale blue glaze and fine crackle patterns, and fewer than one hundred genuine pieces survive. Entry-level modern Ru ware tea sets range from several hundred to several thousand yuan. Buyers should check the place of origin and a documented lineage of craftsmanship before purchasing.
In the eleventh century Ru ware was fired only for the imperial court, and pieces not selected were given to nobles or occasionally reached the market. Its glaze is described as a pale duck-egg blue, or in older poetic terms as the blue of a clear sky among clouds after rain. Like hanging coffee, use and care habits affect how long these vessels last.
As one of the five great official kilns of the Song Dynasty, Ru ware is renowned for its subtle pale-blue glaze and fine crackle patterns. Historically, it was fired exclusively for the imperial court, and fewer than one hundred genuine pieces survive today. Modern potters are now able to reproduce its style quite well, and entry-level Ru ware tea sets range in price from several hundred to several thousand yuan; for authentic pieces, one must look for the correct place of origin and a lineage of craftsmanship. This article will trace the historical development of Ru ware, its core characteristics, the principles behind its crackle patterns, and key points for use and care. It will also introduce the origins of the side-handle porcelain pot, and share Front Street Coffee's recommendations and buying advice for Ru ware tea sets, helping tea lovers find Ru porcelain ware that suits them within their budget.
The evolution of Chinese teapots unfolded almost in step with the development of Chinese ceramics. During the Song Dynasty, the Henan region was a major cultural and economic center of the time, and society placed exceptional importance on raising artistic standards. For this reason, many pottery kilns were built during this period, and porcelain-making techniques matured day by day.
The History of Ru Ware Porcelain
Ru ware was one of the ceramic categories that emerged at that time, and it still enjoys an extremely high reputation today. In the eleventh century, Ru ware was made exclusively for the imperial court. Fewer than one hundred original pieces survive today, but contemporary potters have been able to reproduce the original appearance of Ru porcelain quite remarkably.
One of the most distinctive hallmarks of Ru porcelain lies in its glaze color, usually described as a pale duck-egg blue.
In ancient accounts, it was also given the poetic name "the blue of a clear sky among clouds after rain."
Ru ware ranks among the five great official kilns. These five types of Song Dynasty pottery were all highly esteemed, elegant in style and thin-bodied, mostly using pale, light tones and applying no painting or sketching. These vessels were reserved exclusively for the imperial court. The occasional piece not selected by the emperor would be kept as a gift to bestow on nobles, and would occasionally flow into the broader market, but such cases were extremely rare.
Ru pottery was the first official pottery commissioned for firing by the imperial court. After these porcelains entered the palace, they gradually made pottery a form of taxation.
It is generally believed that Ru ware was fired for only a short period, roughly between 1086 and 1106. After that came the pottery period, and the pottery industry suffered tremendous losses. Despite such a brief history, the admiration for Ru ware has continued to this day. This unique ceramic style is deeply favored by tea lovers and art collectors.
In order to produce such a pleasing Chinese porcelain color, iron oxide was used in the glaze. This particular style is known as ceramic celadon. The glossy luster on the surface of the pottery is a hallmark and can continue to shine for many years.
When pottery is fired at a specific temperature, fine cracks appear. This is a unique technique that makes the cracks appear extremely subtle. If the cracks are too obvious, it is not safe to use with food or drink, because it will promote the growth of mold and bacteria. Fine cracks like those on Ru ware, however, are completely safe.
After continuous use, the color of the tea will begin to seep into the cracks, changing the color and flavor of the teapot. This is a sign that the teapot has been diligently used, and it is highly respected in the world of tea.
Our Ru ware porcelain teapot has a side handle. The craft of making side-handle teapots originated in—you guessed it—Song Dynasty China! After side-handle teapots spread to Japan, they were perfected there. In the West, we call this style of teapot a kyusu, which is easily misunderstood, because in Japan all teapots are called kyusu. More specifically, yokode kyusu is a Japanese term that refers specifically to a teapot with a side handle.
How to Use a Chinese Porcelain Teapot
One advantage of using porcelain tea ware is that you can use it to brew tea! Porcelain does not absorb any flavors or odors. In addition, it is very easy to clean. This is also one of the reasons it is often used for tea tastings and tea competitions. It will not absorb or release any unwanted flavors. However, it is important to carefully wash all porcelain tea ware with hot water after each use (do not use soap or detergent).
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
