Jingdezhen Antique-Style Hand-Painted Wood-Fired Blue & White Gourd Cup – Scattered Medallion Motif

Originating from Jingdezhen, this teacup features a distinct "Gourd" (葫芦 - hulu) silhouette. The body gently constricts in the middle, creating a graceful curve that not only breaks the monotony of standard straight-walled cups but also fits naturally and comfortably in the hand during use. In classical culture, the gourd is a highly revered symbol; its Chinese name "Hulu" is homophonous with "Fulu" (福禄), which translates to good fortune, wealth, and prosperity. The piece presents a calm, restrained aesthetic, serving as both a highly ergonomic brewing companion and a collectible miniature archive of traditional blessings.

Motif & Composition: Scattered Medallions with Interior Detailing 
The exterior is adorned with the highly esteemed "Scattered Medallion" (皮球花 - Piqiu Hua) motif. This is a classic imperial design featuring circular medallions—each intricately filled with various geometric and botanical patterns—scattered asymmetrically across the curved surface. This irregular, rhythmic placement breaks away from rigid traditional symmetry, introducing a dynamic, lively, and surprisingly modern sense of spatial arrangement.
A particularly exquisite detail is found at the rim: the artisan has masterfully painted partial medallions that spill over the edge and into the interior of the cup. This seamless visual transition from the outside in not only frames the tea liquor beautifully but also highlights the unconstrained vitality of authentic hand-painting.

Craftsmanship: Traditional Pine Wood-Fired Kiln (Chai Yao) 
This piece is fired using the most traditional wood-firing kilns (柴窑) in Jingdezhen. The unfired vessel is placed securely inside a saggar (a protective ceramic box) and fired using pure pine wood. Kiln masters rely on decades of experience, manually adding wood to control the temperature, which eventually peaks at 1300°C.
Unlike the predictable and uniform heating curves of modern gas kilns, a wood-fired kiln produces a natural, rhythmic temperature variation. During the intense heat, the volatilized oils from the pine wood interact with the porcelain glaze. This distinct reaction grants the porcelain an exceptionally antiqued, deeply lustrous, and "oily" finish. It is this warm, jade-like texture that makes authentic wood-fired pieces irreplaceable.

Material & Craft Specifications
Origin: Jingdezhen, China
Shaping Technique: Fully hand-thrown and hand-trimmed on the potter's wheel
Clay Body: Premium raw ore antique-style clay (a traditional blend of porcelain stone and kaolin)
Pigment: Raw ore antique-style cobalt blue pigment
Decoration: Fully hand-painted motifs
Glaze: Raw ore transparent glaze

Specifications
Diameter: 6.2 cm
Height: 5.2 cm
Capacity: 60 ml