Blue Ice Crystal Tea Pitcher – Gong Dao Bei – Cha Hai 160ml

Blue Ice Crystal Tea Pitcher – A Masterpiece of Traditional Tea Craft

The Blue Ice Crystal Gong Dao Bei is the final, essential piece that unites your tea set, transforming it into a complete ritual. As the heart of your tea service, this fairness pitcher shares the same captivating “Ice Crystal” glaze as its sister pieces. The unique, Ruyao-style crystalline patterns shimmer across the surface, evoking the serene beauty of a winter lake. Crafted to hold 160ml, it’s perfectly sized to receive the entire brew from your gaiwan, ready to serve each guest with elegance and consistency.

The Living Glaze: A Ruyao-Style Crackle

The true magic of the Blue Ice Crystal series lies in its living glaze. This is a modern masterpiece inspired by the legendary Song Dynasty Ruyao ware.

• A Unique Web of Crackles: The surface is covered in a web of fine, almost invisible lines known as “crackle” or “开片 (Kāi Piàn)”.

• Nurtured by Tea: This is not a static design. With each use, the tea liquor will slowly penetrate these fine crackles, staining them with its color. Over months and years, your pitcher will develop a unique patina that tells the story of every tea you’ve shared. It becomes a piece that is truly and uniquely yours.

What is a Cha Hai / Gong Dao Bei？

The Gong Dao Bei is traditionally used in Chinese tea ceremonies for decanting and serving tea from a brewing vessel (like a gaiwan or teapot) into individual cups. Its shape allows the tea to flow smoothly, ensuring an even distribution of tea for each guest, making it an essential tool in traditional tea service. This cha hai also serves a practical role in tea tasting, as it helps separate the brewed leaves from the tea liquid, offering a clear and clean taste.

This Blue Ice Crystal Tea Pitcher is designed for tea enthusiasts who appreciate both the art of tea preparation and the aesthetic qualities of their teaware. Whether you’re a connoisseur of Chinese tea culture or simply someone who enjoys a refined tea experience, this pitcher brings both beauty and functionality to your tea table.

For more stories about kiln-glazing: The History and Craftsmanship of Kiln-Glazing

Why a Gong Dao Bei is Essential

This pitcher, also known as a Cha Hai (Sea of Tea), is critical for two reasons:

1. Precision: It allows you to decant the tea from your gaiwan or teapot at the precise moment it’s ready, preventing over-steeping.

2. Consistency: It ensures every drop of tea is perfectly blended, so that each cup you pour for your guests—and yourself—has the exact same strength, color, and flavor. This is why it is called a “Fairness Pitcher.”