The entire process of hand-painted tea sets: the artistic fusion of fire and brush

Hand-painted tea sets are more than just utensils; they are exquisite craftsmanship that integrates pottery, painting, and firing. From clay to finished product, they often go through multiple kiln stages, and each step is meticulously crafted.

1. Molding - Initial Forming of Clay

1. Clay selection: Choose porcelain clay (such as kaolin), purple clay, or other pottery clays based on your needs. The clay must be pure; the fewer impurities, the finer the finished product.

2. Kneading the clay: Expel bubbles from the clay by repeatedly kneading or stepping on it to ensure uniformity of the clay.

3. forming :

   • Wheel throwing: suitable for round teacups and teapots.

   • Grouting: Pouring mud into plaster molds, commonly used in mass production.

   • Hand-kneaded/sculptured: commonly seen in unique shapes or personalized tea sets.

2. Biscuit firing (first time into the kiln)

• The formed clay needs to be dried naturally in the shade before being sent into the kiln and fired at a temperature of about 800℃–900℃.

• The body after bisque firing is hard and not easy to break, making it easy to glaze or paint directly.

• This is my first time in the kiln.

3. Hand-painted decoration

1. Painting base (underglaze):

   • Mineral pigments (such as oxides of iron, cobalt, and copper) are used on bisque-fired clay to paint flowers, birds, landscapes, or calligraphy.

   • It will be covered with transparent glaze for protection.

2. Painting glaze (overglaze/painted):

   • Painting on the surface of glazed and fired teaware.

   • Flux is often added to the pigment, which needs to be fired again at a low temperature to fix it.

4. Glazing and high-temperature firing (second kiln entry)

• Evenly cover the hand-painted bisque with a layer of glaze (transparent or translucent glaze).

• It is fired in a kiln at high temperature (1200℃–1350℃) to allow the glaze to combine with the body and pigments.

• This is the second time it has been put into the kiln, and the finished product is ready to use.

5. Painting and firing (third time in the kiln, optional)

• If it is overglaze color or gold, silver, and other decorations, it needs to be painted on the tea set fired at high temperature.

• It is then re-fired at a low temperature of around 600℃–900℃ to allow the pigment to blend with the glaze.

• This is the third time entering the kiln.

6. Polishing and Inspection

• Smooth out the roughness on the bottom to ensure a stable placement.

• Check the glaze color, pattern, and quality, and select qualified products.

How often does a hand-painted tea set usually need to be fired in the kiln?

• Underglaze color (common method) :

  • Unglazed → Painted → Glazed → High-temperature fired

  • A total of 2 kiln entries are required

• Overglaze/Gold/Silver :

  • Bisque firing → Glazing → High temperature firing → Coloring → Low temperature re-firing

  • A total of 3 kiln entries are required

• Some fine pieces are even fired multiple times (3–5 times) to add layers of color and enhance the artistic effect.

The value of hand-painted tea sets

• Unique: Each piece is hand-painted and cannot be replicated.

• Artistry: Combining painting and pottery, it is a place where you can both drink tea and appreciate it.

• Collectibility: Painted tea sets that have been kiln-fired multiple times have complex craftsmanship and a higher market value.

Summary <br data-start="1350" data-end="1353">The production of hand-painted tea sets is like a journey across fire and art:

• Two times of kiln entry can produce common underglaze hand-painted tea sets;

• If the porcelain is put into the kiln more than three times , richer overglaze and gold-colored works can be produced.

Each piece of the tea set is a tea-drinking utensil and a crystallization of art created by flame, brush, and ink.

-Brewin Teaware