Soft shades of Karl Grey hang suspended in the glaze on this small series of teapots by Taiwanese potter, Liao Guo Hua. (For those not familiar, Karl is our local San Francisco fog, the quintessential blanket that hangs over the tower of the Golden Gate, and weaves in and out the redwoods of the Presidio.) Glazed just three-quarters of the way down, a raw base of stoneware creates a shimmering base to these teapots, burnished a brilliant orange in the heat of a wood kiln.

Each piece represents Liao Guo Hua’s precise craftsmanship, and deft hand on the potter's wheel. Here, a striking, two part handle balance the pot’s high, proud spoud, coupled with a honeycomb of drainage holes in the interior that create a natural sieve for the leaves, eliminate the need for strainers and tea bags, and creating quick, clean evacuation.

The form and hue of the pot’s body contrast against it’s dark lid, topped with a sharply thrown finial reminiscent of an orthodox dome. Fired together in LGH’s handbuilt wood kiln, the rich brown of the lid leaves a sienna toned halo on the rim of the pot, echoed throughout the vessel with small iron imbued freckling.

Usage and care: These teapots feature a thin, interior liner glaze and are suitable for use with all tea types. Simply rinse between uses or hand-wash with mild detergent.