This season, we are privileged to feature a selection of work from renowned Taiwanese artist Bai Zong-Ping, with the hope of featuring more in the near future. Not only is he a master potter in his own right, he is also an exceptionally gifted painter and sculptor with a lively and colourful palette. His canvases remain ceramic objects he crafts in the pure Taiwanese tradition of instilling beauty to useful objects. This cup features beautiful stylized hand-painted flowers. The hand-painted inside surface received an additional high-gloss top glaze over an grey speckled base. The outer surface is also what attracts attention: it is bronze gilded in the Chinese tradition that inspired the Ormolu technique of 18th century French and English gilders. The metal oxides are bonded to the outer surface through extreme heat leaving an iridescent metallic finish that is simply stunning. But wait, it gets better: the finish actually improves over time through contact with tea and develops a rich reddish copper tint that can be polished to a rich lustrous finish! The shape of the cups is also most pleasant with a nice taper and gentle flare at the rim. Needless to say, this cup is a unique item, signed by the artist, and proudly handcrafted in Taiwan.