This is a handmade Chinese lacquer tea cup in flowing gold lacquer (Liu Jin, 流金) over a black porcelain body, by HFDlacquerware (禾丰鼎). Small at 2.4" across and 1.4" tall, it is sized for a single sip, and comes in two styles: gold on the outside, catching the light as you lift it, or gold on the inside, revealed only as the tea is poured. It is sized as a host's cup (主人杯), made for the person who pours, whether steeping puerh alone in the morning, hosting a gongfu session, or sharing oolong with guests. Each cup arrives in its own gift box.

Gold powder is mixed into natural raw lacquer (生漆) and dropped freely onto the surface, then left to settle into its own pattern, so no two cups are ever alike. It makes a meaningful gift for tea lovers, collectors of Chinese lacquerware, or a milestone such as a housewarming, anniversary, or retirement.

A small cup is easy to refill without thinking, a gentle way to drink more through the day.

Also available: see the other Flowing Gold Tea Cups in historic Palace Museum forms.