Handcrafted Sky-blue Agate-glaze Teacup (Ru Yao)

This elegant teacup is skillfully handcrafted by the Zhu Family in Ruzhou, China. Ruzhou is the origin of Ru Yao 汝窯, which is a famous and rare Chinese porcelain from the Song dynasty. Ru ware is famous for its unique blue color, known as "the blue of the sky in a clearing amongst the clouds after rain" in ancient findings. 

During the 1100s, Ru ware was made solely for the Imperial Court, but the skills were lost in history. Less than 100 pieces of the original Ru ware survived. Based on these examples in museums, the Zhu Family rediscovered the techniques and skills of the making of Ru ware. The infusion of natural agate in its glaze renders the surface of the cups soft and gentle, like Chinese jade.

The delicate cracks appear when the ware is fired at a particular temperature. It is a unique technique to get the cracks to appear ever so slightly. Fine cracks like the ones seen on Ru ware are completely safe. After continuous use, the color of the tea brew will start to seep into the cracks, changing the color and seasoning the teacup.

Because of the natural ingredients and the energy of natural agate, the cups naturally soften the water inside them. It is great for all kinds of tea, especially green tea and herbal tea.

• Diameter: 5.5 cm
• Height: 3.8 cm
• Capacity: 60 ml 

You'll receive a similar cup to the one shown in the pictures. They are all handmade with natural materials. Please allow slight variations in color, shade, pattern, etc.