Five-Color Linglong Porcelain
Jian Shui / Waste Water Bowl for Gongfu Tea
We all know the famous Chinese porcelain cup covered with tiny openings that somehow never leaks water.
Because of its delicate translucent structure, it was given a beautiful name:
“Linglong Porcelain”
(玲珑瓷 — literally “Exquisite Porcelain”)
This is a porcelain technique unique to China, and today it is recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage.
A Beautiful Accident in Chinese Porcelain History
The history of Linglong porcelain began with an accident.
According to traditional records, craftsmen were originally making a porcelain incense burner when glaze unexpectedly flowed into carved openings during firing.
After the kiln cooled, the openings became softly translucent when light passed through them.
The effect amazed people.
Later, this technique evolved into one of Jingdezhen’s most famous porcelain styles, and even ancient emperors wrote poems praising its beauty.
For a long period in history, Linglong porcelain was considered a luxury item used mainly by nobles and royal families.
Today, it is still regarded as one of the “Four Great Porcelain Styles of Jingdezhen.”
Handcrafted Five-Color Linglong
To create Linglong porcelain, the craftsman must first carefully carve patterns into the porcelain body by hand.
A very thin layer of glaze is then applied over the openings.
After high-temperature firing, the carved areas become translucent while still remaining completely sealed.
The result is:
“Transparent, but not leaking.”
When light passes through the Linglong openings, they glow softly from within.
Firework-Like Colors Under Light
Most traditional Linglong porcelain uses only a single translucent color.
This piece uses a rarer style called:
“Five-Color Linglong”
Under light, the translucent openings reveal multiple colors at once, almost like fireworks blooming inside the porcelain.
The effect changes depending on lighting and viewing angle, making the piece especially beautiful during tea sessions.
The bottom is hand-painted with:
“Jingdezhen”
representing its place of origin — the most famous porcelain city in China.
Traditional Gongfu Tea Use
Jian Shui / Water Bowl
In traditional gongfu tea culture, many tea drinkers love the minimalist tea setup known as:
“Dry Tea Brewing”
This style of tea table arrangement is often considered closest to the aesthetics of the Song Dynasty — clean, quiet, and elegant.
But one problem always remained:
where to pour the waste water.
Ancient tea drinkers solved this long ago using vessels called:
• Jian Shui
• Shui Yu
• Waste water bowls
This piece is designed exactly for that purpose.
It can be used to collect:
• rinse water
• first tea wash
• extra tea liquid
• tea tools water
while remaining beautiful enough to become part of the tea table itself.
Specifications
Height: 6.5 cm
Top Diameter: 12.6 cm
For Tea Drinkers Who Care About Aesthetics
Some tea tools are only practical.
Some are only decorative.
This piece quietly combines both.
A traditional object from Jingdezhen,
glowing softly beside your tea table like porcelain lantern light.
