Covered teacup and saucer with calligraphic inscriptions in underglaze blue

The cup has eggshell-thin sides spreading and cupped at the rim. The cover resembles an inverted dish and all three rims are bound in copper. Written in underglaze blue outside the cup and cover and inside the saucer are various Tang dynasty poems. First appearing in the early Qing dynasty, the cover cup with saucer was used increasingly for tea from this time onwards. This vessel consists of a cover, a bowl and a saucer. The flared mouth of the bowl is ideal for infusing water, while the narrow base allows the tea leaves to steep properly. Designed to keep its contents warm, the cover can also be used to gently push the leaves away while drinking the tea thus serving multiple functions contributing to convenience, brewing, and serving tea.