HD003 - Dai gaiwan 120 ml

Product detailed description

Overview
This beautiful and handmade gaiwan from Dai clay (Daitao 傣陶) originates from Dai pottery workshop in Jinghong city (景洪市). While the history of Yunnan clays dates back more than 4,000 years, the specific tradition of this type of pottery can be traced back to the period of the Dai Kingdom (1180–1993*), during which various vessels were produced for both religious and practical purposes (particularly for storing food and liquids). Until the late 1990s, Dai pottery was virtually unknown, except for the roughly crafted Dai jars used for roasting tea (Kaochaguan 烤茶罐) found in various areas of China’s Yunnan province. A turning point came in 2006 when Dai pottery was added on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Today, numerous Dai pottery workshops produce a wide range of ceramic products, including various gaiwans and teapots featuring Dai natural and Buddhist motives.

This pottery has been generously provided to us by the Yuzhangfeng, Dai pottery master from one of the oldest Dai pottery family in Jinghong who preserved their craft despite the Cultural Revolution (1960-1976). Since 1990s, she participated at many national and international meetings and cooperate with several universities and research institutes as a training center to protect the Dai pottery legacy. During our research trip to Xishuangbanna at the beginning of 2025, we spent quite a lot of time conducting several interviews regarding the history, technology, and production methods of Dai pottery in the Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna (西双版纳). The Dai people believe that every crafted object has a soul, a belief reflected in the uniqueness of each piece of this Dai pottery. This glazed gaiwan was made by using the mix of natural mineral powders from the region (Gaolintufen 高岭土粉) and grass. This glazed Dai gaiwan is ideal for brewing all types of tea.