Fangyu Shenglan (Exhaustive Overview of All Parts of the Empire) by Zhu Mu of Song dynasty records, “When white colour tea was poured into a black tea bowl, the contrast easily brings out the makings”

Black glazed tea bowl

Glazed tea bowl with partridge feather design

During Song dynasty, tea drinking was popular among the people, who also liked to have “tea competitions”. In a tea competition, the appearance of the tea was regarded as particularly important, as well as its aroma, taste and feel in the mouth. Consequently, there were strict requirements for a good match between tea and tea utensils. People in Song dynasty preferred black glazed tea bowls (the most well-known products are those produced in Fujian known as Jianzhan). Tea bowls were wide and deep in shape, making it easier to pour and stir the water, and the thick glaze and body helped retain the heat of the tea. The dark black glaze contrasted with the light-coloured tea, making it easier to observe the tea foam and water marks. This is why Jianzhan were a favourite of tea competition enthusiasts.

During firing at a high-temperature, glaze supersaturated with metallic oxides undergoes change and precipitation. In the case of tea utensils, this results in light-coloured patterns on their surface. The light-coloured spots on the black glazed tea bowls displayed in the exhibition entitled “Treasures from Sacred Hill” resemble the markings on the chest of a partridge, and hence they are called “Partridge feather glazed tea bowl”; while those with densely arranged patterns resembling rabbit hair are known as “hare’s fur glazed tea bowl”.

 (English)