[清本源 x Gohobi Gallery] Blue & White Large Press-Hand Cup with Inner-Impressed Sea & Dragon Motif – Carved Cliff and Wave Design (120ml)

This large press-hand cup is a powerful yet restrained expression of continuity, protection, and quiet strength, created through the layered integration of carving, inner-impressing, and classical blue-and-white porcelain techniques.

The interior features an inner-impressed sea-and-dragon motif, combined with subtle incised carving. Rendered through dark carving rather than surface decoration, the imagery emerges quietly from within the porcelain body. The dragon, long associated with authority, guardianship, and life force, appears amid rolling seas, its presence suggested rather than declared. This restrained expression allows meaning to unfold gradually, revealing depth through use rather than immediate display.

The exterior is adorned with carved cliff-and-wave patterns inspired by traditional Jiangya Haishui motifs. Executed with controlled carving, the waves flow continuously around the cup, echoing the endless movement of the sea. In classical symbolism, the ocean represents constancy and boundless giving, while cliffs stand for endurance and stability. Together, they form a visual language of protection and continuity, reinforcing the cup’s narrative of quiet strength.

The press-hand cup form is designed for grounded, confident handling. The rim is gently flared outward and finished with a thick, rounded edge that sits comfortably against the lips. When held in one hand, the body naturally aligns with the tiger’s mouth grip, creating a sense of control, warmth, and physical reassurance. This form is especially suited for slower, contemplative tea drinking, where weight and touch are as important as flavour.

This cup represents the “father” vessel within a paired narrative, expressed through mountain-like carved forms and the implied presence of parent and child within the dragon imagery. It symbolises fatherly love that is steady, protective, and unspoken—like mountains standing firm and seas flowing endlessly. The blue-and-white sea pattern serves as a supporting rhythm, continuous and enduring, reflecting a love that does not seek attention yet never fades.

Together with its smaller sweet white counterpart featuring carved cliff-and-wave motifs, this piece forms a quiet dialogue between father and child. The pairing is the result of a six-month creative process by Qing Ben Yuan, exploring emotional continuity through form, scale, and symbolism, allowing traditional motifs to carry contemporary human meaning.

Diameter: 9.5 cm
Height: 5 cm
Capacity: 120 ml

The listed price is for one cup. Each piece is individually handcrafted, and subtle variations in carving depth, cobalt tone, and form are part of its unique character. Customers are welcome to request a private video viewing for a closer look. Orders are shipped using reused or recycled packaging wherever possible.

A tea cup shaped by sea and mountain, strength and tenderness—where classical imagery becomes a quiet vessel for enduring care and generational connection.