ZHAMS Hand Painted Celadon Kungfu Teacups

Absolutely — and that's one of the surprisingly delightful things about these cups. Reviewers have found all sorts of creative uses: serving sake, pouring shots, using them as sushi dipping sauce bowls, and even displaying them as decorative 'tiny koi ponds' around the house thanks to the fish design on the bottom. Several people mention using them at dinner parties as multi-purpose serving vessels. The hand-painted Longquan celadon finish makes them conversation starters no matter what you put in them.

Yes, and they pair particularly well with the matching ZHAMS Longquan celadon gaiwan (sold separately). Reviewers confirm that one gaiwan steep fills approximately two of these cups, which is the classic Gongfu tea ratio. Having the matching set — gaiwan plus these six cups — gives you a complete, visually cohesive Gongfu tea setup. For beginners, this combination is a great way to start practicing traditional Chinese tea brewing without investing in expensive Yixing clay sets.

The price reflects a few things you won't find in mass-produced cups. First, they're made from authentic Longquan celadon — a traditional Chinese ceramic known for its distinctive jade-green glaze. Second, each cup is hand-painted with a fish and lotus pattern, and because they're painted by hand, every piece has slight variations that make it unique. The three-dimensional fish design on the bottom of each cup is a particularly nice touch. Reviewers consistently praise the glossy finish and well-made construction, so you're paying for genuine craftsmanship rather than just a brand name.

These cups hit a sweet spot for a few types of buyers. Tea enthusiasts who practice Gongfu-style brewing will appreciate the authentic Longquan celadon, proper small capacity, and hand-painted craftsmanship. Collectors of Chinese ceramics will value the hand-painted variations and traditional celadon glaze. And creative hosts will love the multi-purpose potential — sake, shots, dipping sauces, and conversation starters at dinner parties. They're NOT ideal if you want a big cup for everyday tea drinking or if you need something practical and kid-proof. These are small, delicate, and more about the experience than the volume.

Honestly, not really — and that's okay, because they're not designed to be. At roughly 2 tablespoons capacity, they're ceremonial cups for slow, intentional tea drinking, not your morning coffee vessel. Some reviewers describe them as more novelty than practical for everyday use. If you want a daily driver, look for a larger mug. But if you enjoy the ritual of Gongfu tea, or want elegant pieces for special occasions, dinner parties, or display, these absolutely deliver. Think of them as the espresso cups of the tea world — small, purposeful, and part of a specific experience.

They're actually a great beginner-friendly choice. The ergonomic design fits comfortably in the hand, and the small capacity is correct for learning the Gongfu multiple-steep technique. Pair them with the matching ZHAMS gaiwan and you have a complete starter set without committing to pricier unglazed clay. Plus, even if you decide Gongfu isn't your thing, these cups have plenty of other uses — sake cups, shot glasses, sauce dishes, or just pretty display pieces. That versatility reduces the risk of a single-purpose purchase that gathers dust.

Yes, and this is one of the most popular alternative uses reviewers mention. The small size is actually perfect for sake, which is traditionally served in similarly small cups. They also work great as shot glasses for spirits. The hand-painted fish design on the bottom adds a fun visual element when the cup is filled with clear liquid — your sake appears to have a little fish swimming in it. Several reviewers specifically bought them for sake serving and dinner party use rather than tea.

You get six cups per set, which is the traditional number for a Chinese tea ceremony — enough to serve a small gathering of guests. For Gongfu tea, where one gaiwan steep fills about two cups, six cups means you can comfortably serve three people per steep. If you're hosting larger gatherings, some customers have ordered multiple sets successfully. The fact that reviewers report ordering additional sets is actually a good sign — it means they liked the first set enough to buy more.

Each cup has the same fish and lotus design, but because they're hand-painted, every piece has slight natural variations. One cup's lotus might have a slightly different brushstroke, or the green of the celadon glaze might shift a tiny bit from piece to piece. Reviewers actually point this out as a positive — it's proof that these are genuinely hand-crafted rather than stamped out by machine. For collectors and tea enthusiasts, those small differences add character and authenticity to the set.

They are fragile — this is fine ceramic, not your everyday stoneware mug. Celadon is strong for its weight when handled carefully, but it won't survive a drop onto a hard floor. Reviewers note that the construction is well-made and solid, but as with any hand-crafted ceramic, treat them with care. Hand washing is recommended over dishwasher use, and store them with padding between pieces if you're stacking. The glossy celadon glaze is quite durable for normal use — it's impacts and sudden temperature changes you want to avoid.

A few key things matter: material quality, size appropriate for the style of tea drinking, comfort in hand, and craftsmanship. These ZHAMS cups score well on all counts according to reviewers — the Longquan celadon material has a high-quality glossy finish, they're sized correctly for traditional Gongfu brewing (small, about 2 tablespoons capacity), and they fit comfortably in the hand despite being small. One thing to be aware of with any fine ceramic cups: check that they arrive undamaged. Fragile items like these can sometimes have packaging issues in transit, so inspect them when they arrive.

For a traditional Gongfu ceremony with these ZHAMS cups, here's the basic flow: warm the cups by pouring hot water into them and discarding it. Then brew your tea in a gaiwan (a lidded bowl — ZHAMS makes a matching one), steep for a short time (often under 30 seconds for the first steep), and pour evenly into the small cups. The small size means you'll get about two cups per steep from one gaiwan. Sip slowly and appreciate the aroma and flavor, then steep the same leaves again. You can repeat 5-10 times with good tea, and the flavor changes with each steep. That's the beauty of the small cup format.

Longquan celadon is a type of Chinese pottery originating from Longquan in Zhejiang province, with a history stretching back over 1,600 years. It's recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The distinctive jade-green glaze is achieved through a specific firing process and iron-rich glaze composition. For tea drinkers, celadon matters because the smooth, non-porous glazed surface doesn't absorb flavors between sessions (unlike unglazed Yixing clay), making it versatile for different tea types. These ZHAMS cups carry that tradition with authentic celadon material and a high-quality glossy finish that reviewers consistently praise.

These are authentic Longquan celadon teacups — a style with centuries of Chinese pottery tradition behind it. While they're not antique, they are genuinely hand-painted with each piece being slightly different, which gives them real collectible appeal. Reviewers specifically mention the beautiful hand-painted fish and lotus details and the high-quality glossy finish. Several customers display them as fine china pieces rather than just using them for tea, and some even describe them as 'tiny koi ponds' worth showing off around the house.

Authentic Longquan celadon has a few hallmarks: a distinctive jade-green or blue-green glaze, a smooth glossy finish, and traditionally crafted construction. These ZHAMS cups check those boxes — reviewers note the high-quality glossy finish and well-made construction. The hand-painted variations between pieces are actually a sign of authenticity, since machine-made copies tend to look identical. The three-dimensional fish design molded into the bottom of each cup is another indicator of careful craftsmanship rather than mass production.

ZHAMS is a solid choice for Gongfu tea ceremony drinkware, especially at this price point. Their Longquan celadon cups are authentic to the tradition — proper small capacity for multiple steeps, comfortable in the hand, and paired nicely with their matching gaiwan (sold separately). Reviewers confirm that one gaiwan steep fills about two of these cups, which is exactly the traditional serving ratio. The hand-painted fish and lotus pattern adds ceremony and beauty to the experience. For beginners building a Gongfu setup, these cups plus a matching gaiwan make a complete starter set.

For small Gongfu-style cups like these ZHAMS celadon cups, the traditional method is to hold the cup between your thumb and index finger on opposite sides, with your middle finger supporting the bottom. Some people simply cradle the cup in their fingertips. Reviewers note that these cups fit comfortably in the hand despite their small size, which suggests the proportions are well-designed for traditional handling. The key is a light, relaxed grip — these are meant for slow, appreciative sipping, not hurried gulping.

For a traditional Gongfu tea display, arrange the six cups in a circle or two rows of three on a tea tray, with the gaiwan (brewing vessel) in the center or at the head. The hand-painted lotus pattern faces outward toward your guests. Some people also display them along a shelf or in a glass cabinet as decorative pieces — the Longquan celadon glaze and three-dimensional fish design make them attractive even when not in use. Reviewers mention using them as display pieces for fine china collections, and the set of six provides good visual symmetry.