Silver Teardrop Pitcher

I am a Silver Teardrop Pitcher. Don't cry if it spills, just move on and refill.

Curator's Notes 

This tea pitcher is used to hold the tea after it has been brewed. Called a "chahai", which translates poetically to "sea of tea", the vessel helps to maintain the strength and taste of the brew throughout the tea ceremony. A bit like a wine decanter, the tea is then poured from the pitcher into the individual cups. This way, the tea leaves do not continue to steep in the hot liquid between pours. The pitcher is also known as a "fair cup" or "bowl of impartiality", as serving from a chahai makes sure that each tea drinker receives the same brew. Masanobu Ando's love of tea ceremony continually inspires him to create his own, deeply personal versions of the traditional tools. From the unique silver glaze to the little "v" of the hand-formed spout, the pitcher could only have come from the hands of Ando-san.

Silver Teardrop Pitcher was curated by Angélique Chmielewski

Designer/Maker 

Maker: Masanobu Ando

Designer: Masanobu Ando

Specifications

Dimensions: 

3.1” (w) x 4.4” (l) x 2.6” (h) or 78mm (w) x 112mm (l) x 66mm (h)  

Weight: 4.4 oz or 124 gr 

Materials: 

Details

• Handmade by Masanobu Ando in Tajimi, Japan
• Modeled after the traditional chahai, a pitcher from which brewed tea is served to ensure that the strength and taste of the tea is the same for each drinker and throughout the ceremony
• Silver overglaze will develop a natural patina over time 
• Hand wash only with mild soap and soft sponge 
• Dry with soft cloth after washing  
• Do not microwave 
• Do not place in dishwasher