Quality, Thin Walled Gaiwans (Tea Gallery/TTG type)

[teadeamon]

Have any of you been able to find a replacement for the thin walled white gaiwans sold by TTG a few years ago? I'm looking for something inexpensive with thin/translucent walls that won't burn fingers.

What type of porcelain were the TTG gaiwans made from? Eggshell? Bone China? Were they made in Jingdezhen or Dehua?

A past thread recommended this one from Red Blossom, but it's $30+shipping.
http://www.redblossomtea.com/teaware/ga ... pring.html

[impromptuandy]

The Tea Gallery ones were $25, I believe. So the Red Blossom one is comparable in price.

I have the RB gaiwan, and it's much thinner than the couple Taiwanese ones I have. It's very large of course, so I don't use it as often. I can't say I burn my fingers less because it's thinner/more flared -- usually that happens just because I'm in too much of a rush.

If burned fingers is your main concern, you might want to look at getting a small porcelain hohin or teapot. YS has a little white JDZ pot for about ten bucks I think.

[bagua7]

I use a 100 mL from Tea Hong that is thin enough to avoid scorching your fingers. I also have another one (80mL) from YS but it is not longer available in this size, they carry a 120mL (to the brim). Also quite thin.

Not sure how thin the ones you are referring to are, but I just mentioned are thin.

[javi_sanchez]

JK Tea Shop's "oolong" gaiwans are a little thinner than others I've had:

http://www.jkteashop.com/gaiwan-porcela ... s_c49.html

I have one and they're not bad.

[wyardley]

What type of porcelain were the TTG gaiwans made from? Eggshell? Bone China? Were they made in Jingdezhen or Dehua?

Tim (who should know) posted here:
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?p=95178#p95178

They are a custom order of true Blanc de Chine from Jingdezhen by the TG.

I've always understood Blanc de Chine to be associated with Dehua (see, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanc_de_Chine), and to have a warmer, more ivory-toned color than do the TTG gaiwans, but I do not at all claim to be an expert on Chinese porcelain. There's some more information out there if you do a web search, but I can't vouch for its veracity.

They were also described as bone china, IIRC. I think "eggshell" refers to the thinness of the finished product, and not to any eggs being harmed in manufacturing the product.

I've got a few of them, but the one I have at work has recently developed a hairline crack (still works)... overall, they are among my favorites, especially the small one. Best Tea House's gaiwans are most similar to me in terms of thickness, flare of the rim, and general comfort. I have felt the various Red Blossom ones; they're decent, but size is a bit too big, and I don't find them that comfortable. I think Tea Habitat also had some small, thin, gaiwans, but I haven't tried them.