This Mi Se Porcelain series is elegant and understated, featuring a vintage-inspired shape and glaze. It is a refined selection, suitable for both daily enjoyment and treasured collection. Compact and delicate, the Gaiwan is perfect for savoring fine teas for up to 4 people. Its wide, open design provides ample inner space, especially ideal for teas that need room to fully unfold. The flared rim makes it easy to handle and helps avoid burning their fingers, even for beginners.
 
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What’s Mi Se Porcelain?
 
Mi Se Porcelain represents the finest achievement of the Yue kiln ceramic tradition. The term "Mi Se" literally means “secret color”, referring to a confidential glaze formula, as Mi Se Porcelain was fired using this closely guarded glaze recipe. Its glaze layer is exceptionally thin and tightly bonded to the porcelain body, creating an exterior appearance described in classical texts as “ice-like” and “jade-like.” This aesthetic effect represents the highest level of ceramic technology of its time.
 
Mi Se porcelain was developed during the late Tang dynasty. During the subsequent Wuyue Kingdom (Five Dynasties period), Mi Se porcelain was produced solely in specific Yue kilns of ancient Yuezhou (in today’s Zhejiang province) and was dedicated as tribute ware exclusively for the imperial court, with common officials and civilians forbidden from possessing it. After the fall of the Wuyue Kingdom in A.D. 978, the production of Mi Se porcelain ceased, and the knowledge surrounding it was lost. For several centuries, including the contemporary era, the precise meaning of the term “Mi Se” and the nature of Mi Se porcelain remained unclear. 
 
In 1987, a major archaeological discovery at the underground palace of Famen Temple (Shaanxi province) unearthed 14 pieces of Yue kiln celadon explicitly identified as Mi Se porcelain. This discovery conclusively resolved the long-standing historical mystery, and the excavated pieces became reference examples, thus enabling modern reproductions of Mi Se porcelain.
 
Archaeological excavations during 2015 - 2017 at the Housi’ao kiln site (Zhejiang province) yielded a large number of high-quality Yue kiln celadon wares from the late Tang dynasty and the Five Dynasties period. Many of these pieces are identical to the Mi Se porcelain recovered from Famen Temple, and most significantly, the word “Mi Se (秘色)” was discovered for the first time inscribed on a porcelain saggar. This finding confirmed that the Housi’ao kiln site was the origin and one of the production centers of Mi Se porcelain, and clarified its connection with Yue kiln celadon.
 
In essence, Mi Se porcelain is Yue kiln celadon at its highest level, whereas not all celadon qualifies as Mi Se porcelain.