TeaForum.org

jwicked wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 11:34 pm

wave_code, do you have any recommendations on where to look for vintage cups. I've checked some online shops and seems like a majority are sold out. Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

wave_code wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:23 am

good tip Baisao
jwicked I guess just keep an eye out - I feel like when vendors like Chanting Pines or Chawang get a batch in and put it up they tend to go quite fast. I've gotten stuff from all over, different countries, vendors, auctions... it take a long while but you start to figure out what type of things show up where. I had kinda toyed on and off and still am actually with the idea of trying to get stuff in larger quantity and make it available. But rising shipping rates, VAT, and Germany's extra anti-dumping tariff on ceramics hasn't made the whole thing add up in such an appealing way so far.

Baiyun wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:48 am

LeoFox that's a nice looking cup. I am currently sourcing and experimenting a bit with porcelain cups to retire my double walled glass cups for something less clinical, and that is a shape I took a liking to.

However, my impression is that greener teas (surely green teas but also greener oolongs) deteriorate too quickly in wider cups where the oxidation surface area is proportionally larger, i.e., the liquor yellows quickly and taste deteriorates, so I would still think this cup is better suited to more oxidised and roasted teas in my book. But I also like rapid temperature drop as a cup feature for all teas in general as I avoid hot liquid, so that is not a negative for me.

What seems to work for me for greener teas is a relatively narrow almost fragrance cup shape, and then ideally wider on teas that don't deteriorate as quickly from air exposure to get more sense immersion when drinking, and cool the liquor more rapidly.

Baiyun wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:06 pm

What do you think causes these effects on texture between porcelain cups? The way the liquor flows into the mouth based on the slope of the cup and flare of the lip, or anything else?

I am just at the beginning of cup exploration and find it difficult to find cups I like to begin with. Vintage examples I like are usually sold and new handmade cups from good material are often way too large, or I don't like the decorations, often both.

Baiyun wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:06 pm

What do you think causes these effects on texture between porcelain cups? The way the liquor flows into the mouth based on the slope of the cup and flare of the lip, or anything else?

I am just at the beginning of cup exploration and find it difficult to find cups I like to begin with. Vintage examples I like are usually sold and new handmade cups from good material are often way too large, or I don't like the decorations, often both.

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:59 pm

Baiyun, I wonder if you have looked into vintage Japanese porcelain cups? Typically, the Chinese porcelain collectors don't go after them, and Japanese porcelains seem easier to find in comparison to Chinese counterpart at a reasonable price.

Baiyun wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:25 am

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:59 pm

Baiyun, I wonder if you have looked into vintage Japanese porcelain cups? Typically, the Chinese porcelain collectors don't go after them, and Japanese porcelains seem easier to find in comparison to Chinese counterpart at a reasonable price.

I have not. Do they make low volume thin walled cups also, or are these harder to find among the Japanese wares? Where do you usually source these?

LeoFox wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2023 1:59 pm

Baiyun wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:25 am

DailyTX wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:59 pm

Baiyun, I wonder if you have looked into vintage Japanese porcelain cups? Typically, the Chinese porcelain collectors don't go after them, and Japanese porcelains seem easier to find in comparison to Chinese counterpart at a reasonable price.

I have not. Do they make low volume thin walled cups also, or are these harder to find among the Japanese wares? Where do you usually source these?

Probably the best deals can be had on auction sites. I picked up one earlier for less than 10$ that's likely to be pre 1800s.


If you want something thin and refined- you may consider one of these from TDJ:

https://www.thes-du-japon.com/index.php ... =2_129_206