Description

SiamTeas signature Tea Cup 70ml – click pictures to enlarge

Tea Pottery  @ Siam Tea Shop – The Signature Line

All elements of the SiamTee Signature line are individually handcrafted pottery aworks of art according to my specifications, taking orientation on the elementary instruments of tea preparation. For this purpose, the Siam Tea Shop collaborates with 2 reputed German master potters with relevant specialization. While the Lower Saxon pottery master Karina Klages has had an international reputation in the field of teaware for several years, Katja Junker initially earned her spurs in general ceramics and, eventually finding a higher calling through Siam Tea Shop.

The clay typically used is a major coining factor of each of the 2 artists’ work. In addition, there there are specific individual style features that are characteristic for any artisan’s work. The goal of the Signature Tea Pottery line was to merge such artist-specific characteristics aesthetically and functionally with those of classic role models. In addition to a tendency towards simplicity in design, there is an aesthetic focus on the nature of the clay. The line therefore often works with unglazed surfaces, highlighting the color and structure of the respective clay.

In line with the aesthetic concept, the functional dimension of the elements of the signature line is based on a philosophy of simplistic perfectionism. This means that the respective function of a vessel finds a rather uncomplicated implementation with focus on smoothest possible use. This in turn harmonizes perfectly with the basic aesthetic concept of simple natural beauty.

The Tea Cup in Tea Preparation

Just as elementary in tea preparation as the teapot is the actual drinking vessel, the tea cup or tea bowl. Because even the finest and most carefully prepared tea only really comes into its own in an appropriate drinking vessel. Because drinking tea addresses several of our senses, not just that of taste, functional and aesthetic aspects really merge here. Accordingly, the visual appearance, feel and practical functionality of an instrument are all factors that come into play when preparing and drinking tea. This applies even particularly to the drinking bowl. Because here, to the visual perception of the tea bowl itself comes that of the tea in it. Also, the role of the olfactory component is not to be underestimated.

SiamTeas Signature Tea Cup 70ml, light grey clay with white interior glaze

The basic material of the Shiboridashi and accompanying tea cup by the Lower Saxony tea pottery master Karina Klages is a fine-grained light grey clay. The fine-sand, rough surface emerging during firing helps the outer surfaces of the vessel to best haptic properties. Together with the simple, functional design, it also shapes the aesthetics and visual appearance of the tea vessels. Another functional and aesthetic element of both vessels is the white glaze covering bottom and inner wall up to the fill level. On the one hand, this eases the cleaning of the vessel after use. On the other hand, the thin glaze coat with the base color translucent at the raised points forms an appealing visual contrast to the natural clay color of the upper edge area and the outer wall.

The tea bowl has a capacity of approx. 70ml to normal filling level. However, each of our tea bowls is individually handcrafte, so that practically every tea bowl is unique and may show slight deviations in shape and capacity.

Why so sparsely glazed?

Well, why so sparsely glazed… First of all, it were natural, unglazed works that had initially inspired me to the line. On the one hand, because the natural clay greatly emphasizes the connection between the soil and the tea leaves. Then, because the desirable properties of clay with tea preparation will show best this way. And thirdly, I found the unglazed vessels simply incredibly beautiful and best reflecting the simple character of tea.

Please note ! Since each of our SiamTeas Signature Shiboridashi is individually hand-crafted, virtually every specimen is unique. Therefore, minor deviations in shape and capacity may occur between individual specimens.

Other elements of our SiamTeas Signature Tea Ceramics Line

Besides the shiboridashi, our SiamTeas Signature Tea Ceramics line includes the following elements in orientation at the core requirements for the casual or ritual tea preparation:

• SiamTeas Signature Teapot 200ml, unglazed, fine light clay
• SiamTeas Signature Yuzamashi 250ml, unglazed, fine light clay
• The SiamTeas Signature Shiboridashi + Tea Bowl Set 120ml, light grey clay with white interior and spontaneous glaze
• SiamTeas Signature Shiboridashi 100ml, light grey clay with white interior glaze
• SiamTeas Signature Shiboridashi 100ml, fine light clay, unglazed