{"product_id":"great-zodiac-hand-carved-porcelain-cup-yan-wenlu","title":"The Great Zodiac” Hand-Carved White Porcelain Tea Cup | Yan Wenlu","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Dialogue with a Master. A Legacy in Porcelain.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreated by Jingdezhen ceramic artist Yan Wenlu, this hand-carved porcelain tea cup brings together traditional ceramic carving and the symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith more than 20 years devoted to ceramic carving, Yan is a National First-Class Technician and an inheritor of Jingdezhen’s intangible cultural heritage. Each piece is individually carved by hand, allowing the character of the zodiac animal to emerge through fine lines, subtle relief, and carefully varied depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe simplicity of white porcelain allows the carving itself to take center stage. As light moves across the surface, the raised and recessed details create gentle shifts in shadow and texture, revealing the precision of the artist’s hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection includes all twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac, each carrying its own traditional symbolism. Choose the animal connected with your birth year, select one for its meaning, or simply choose the creature you feel most drawn to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Twelve Zodiac Animals\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRat \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften associated with intelligence, resourcefulness, and adaptability.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOx \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA symbol of diligence, reliability, patience, and quiet strength.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTiger \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAssociated with courage, confidence, vitality, and protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRabbit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften connected with gentleness, grace, sensitivity, and peace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDragon\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eA powerful symbol of strength, good fortune, vitality, and aspiration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSnake\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAssociated with wisdom, intuition, elegance, and transformation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorse \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA symbol of freedom, energy, independence, and forward movement.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoat \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften associated with kindness, harmony, creativity, and calm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonkey\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eConnected with curiosity, intelligence, playfulness, and ingenuity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRooster \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA symbol of confidence, attentiveness, diligence, and vitality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDog \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAssociated with loyalty, sincerity, companionship, and protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePig\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOften connected with generosity, abundance, warmth, and contentment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot Sure Which One to Choose?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour Chinese Zodiac animal is traditionally determined by your \u003cstrong\u003elunar birth year\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the cycle repeating every twelve years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you already know your zodiac sign, simply select the corresponding animal. You can also choose a cup for its symbolism, as a meaningful gift, or simply because a particular carving speaks to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Chinese Zodiac year begins with Lunar New Year rather than January 1. If you were born in January or February, your zodiac animal may belong to the previous lunar year, so we recommend checking your exact birth date before choosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artist Behind the Work\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYan Wenlu is a Jingdezhen ceramic carving artist, National First-Class Technician, and an inheritor of Jingdezhen’s intangible cultural heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more than two decades, his practice has focused on ceramic carving and relief decoration. Working directly on porcelain, he uses variations in line, depth, and texture to give traditional subjects a distinctive sense of movement and character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Makes Each Piece Special\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand-Carved by the Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach piece is individually carved by Yan Wenlu rather than produced from a molded decorative pattern. Subtle variations in line, depth, and expression make every cup slightly different.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSculptural Porcelain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clean white porcelain provides a quiet backdrop for the carving, allowing light and shadow to reveal the fine relief and surface detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwelve Animals, Twelve Meanings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the strength of the Tiger to the gentleness of the Rabbit, each zodiac animal carries layers of traditional symbolism, making the cup especially meaningful as a personal piece or gift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade to Be Used and Collected\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreated as a functional tea vessel, each cup also carries the individual hand and carving style of the artist, giving it a place beyond everyday tableware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtist: Yan Wenlu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Porcelain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTechnique: Hand-Carved Relief\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigns: 12 Chinese Zodiac animals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Jingdezhen, China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackaging: Fabric-covered presentation box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertificate: Includes a collection certificate for the work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailability: Availability varies by zodiac design. If your selected piece is not currently available, it may be made to order by the artist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaking Time: Approximately 7 days for made-to-order pieces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease contact us if you would like to confirm current availability before ordering. Made-to-order pieces require approximately 7 days before dispatch. This is separate from shipping time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on Handmade Work\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach cup is individually carved by hand. Slight variations in carving, surface detail, and finish are natural characteristics of the artist’s process and make each piece unique.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Quiet Clay","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59496511275089,"sku":null,"price":128.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1038\/4585\/5313\/files\/great-zodiac-rabbit-porcelain-cup-yan-wenlu.jpg?v=1791278021","url":"https:\/\/thequietclay.com\/products\/great-zodiac-hand-carved-porcelain-cup-yan-wenlu","provider":"The Quiet Clay","version":"1.0","type":"link"}