999 Sterling Silver Litchi Small Tea Cup

In the Tang court miniaturist tradition, the smallest objects were often the most carefully wrought: the tiniest silver cups of the imperial tea service were engraved with the same precision as the largest ceremonial vessels, their scale an invitation to a particular quality of intimate attention. The 999 Sterling Silver Litchi Small Tea Cup honours this tradition, its 50ml form dressed in an S999 sterling silver exterior overlay hand-engraved with the characteristic pebbled texture of the litchi fruit.

Key Features

• Material: High-fired ceramic with S999 sterling silver exterior overlay
• Capacity: 50ml

Artisan Craftsmanship

At 50ml, the S999 sterling silver exterior overlay of this small tea cup requires the finest engraving work: the litchi skin's pebbled pattern is rendered within a more compact surface, each protrusion and depression demanding greater precision from the artisan's tools. The result is a cup that rewards the close examination of the tea table, its detail resolving beautifully in hand as the cup is turned between sips. The smooth interior is sized to concentrate the tea's fragrance into a small, perfect space.

Cultural Symbolism

The litchi's symbolism of sweetness, abundance and the clustering of blessings is particularly resonant at this intimate scale: the small cup holds a concentrated sip of these meanings, a distilled pleasure. In the tradition of gongfu tea tasting, the small cup is the serious cup: it holds less but demands more attention, the tea practitioner giving the brew the full focus of their perception with each small pour.

The Perfect Gift

A gift for the dedicated gongfu tea practitioner, the tea session participant or the collector who appreciates the particular pleasure of small, beautifully wrought objects. Its modest size makes it an accessible gift of considerable refinement, one that communicates care and cultural knowledge in equal measure.

Imperial Brocade Gift Box

For those who wish to present this piece in a manner befitting its heritage, the Imperial Brocade Gift Box is available as a top-up of $32.80. Inspired by the richly patterned brocade silks of the Tang imperial court, the box elevates every gifting occasion into a ceremony of its own, enveloping the piece in layers of cultural symbolism and regal presentation.

Small as a perfect sip, rich as the litchi grove in summer: this cup holds everything that matters.