The style of this super beautiful tea tray is Ming, using the underglaze blue technique, and entirely handcrafted and hand painted. The main pattern is the classic design of intertwining Peony branches and traditional waves, while the sides of the tea tray are adorned with wave patterns.
In ancient China, waves naturally referred to the vast ocean, which symbolized gods and immortals and was believed to bestow numerous mystical benefits upon people, such as blessings and longevity. On the other hand, chrysanthemum petal motifs conveyed people’s heartfelt wishes for a blessed, long, and peaceful life.
While peony, one of the beloved traditional patterns in our country, holds a special place in the hearts of the Chinese people with its lush and vibrant appearance and striking colours. As a symbol of our national spirit, it embodies the beautiful aspirations and good wishes for life, symbolizing the prosperity and longevity of the Chinese nation, with a history that stretches far into the past. The intertwined peony, known as “Wanshou Teng” or “Peony with Entwined Branches,” is a traditional auspicious pattern, that represents joyous occasions. Its continuous interlocking structure also conveys the meaning of “endless vitality” or “continuous growth.”
In addition, the beautiful tin spots on the porcelain add even more unique charm to it. The formation of tin spots is due to the high content of iron elements in local parts of the blue pigment. After reaching saturation in the high-temperature glaze solution and cooling down, the iron elements in the supersaturated part start to precipitate. If the iron content of the blue pigment is higher and the cooling rate is appropriate, tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware.
In addition to firing and materials, the formation of tin spots also involves the factor of glaze material. During the painting process, tin spots can also be formed due to the accumulation of blue pigment. Tin spots are more likely to appear on the surface of the ware at the intersections and the starting and ending points of brushstrokes. The formation of tin spots can be said to be a natural creation or an artificial decoration. These tin glazes not only add a rustic texture to the tea tray but also imbue it with a unique sense of history.
This tea tray exudes a charming style reminiscent of imitating the essence of Yuan Dynasty tea sets.
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