Antique-Style Hand-Painted Wood-Fired Blue & White Square Cup – Interlocking Peony Motif

Originating from Jingdezhen, this teacup features a distinct square form with gently indented corners. Breaking the conventional geometry of standard round vessels, this shape introduces a highly structured and architectural aesthetic. The deep indigo tones and crisp lines present a calm, restrained presence, functioning both as a precise brewing vessel and a striking, highly ordered miniature archive of ceramic artistry.

Motif: Interlocking Peony 
A closer look reveals the classic "Interlocking Peony" (缠枝牡丹) motif, meticulously organized into four distinct panels. The peony, historically revered as the "King of Flowers," symbolizes prosperity and grace, while the interlocking vines represent endless vitality and continuity.
Every detail is meticulously hand-painted stroke by stroke. The artisan uses varying concentrations of cobalt blue pigment to create dimensional depth. Notably, the floral panels are separated by vertical patterned borders, bringing a highly structured, museum-like framing to the elaborate design. This juxtaposition of lively flora within strict geometric boundaries creates a profound visual tension.

Craftsmanship: Traditional Pine Wood-Fired Kiln (Chai Yao) 
This piece is fired using the most traditional wood-firing kilns (柴窑) in Jingdezhen. The 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 porcelain irreplaceable.

Material & Craft Specifications
Origin: Jingdezhen, China
Shaping Technique: Hand-formed and hand-trimmed
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: 7.5 cm
Height: 5.7 cm
Capacity: 100 ml