[清本源 x Gohobi Gallery] Thin-Body Cup with Inner-Impressed Rubbing Print and Kintsugi Detailing – “Journey to the West” Small Reclining Foot Form (95ml)

This thin-body porcelain cup is a contemplative exploration of imperfection, time, and resilience, where classical imagery, rubbing techniques, and symbolic repair converge into a deeply reflective tea vessel.

The design draws from ancient woodblock prints related to Journey to the West. Over centuries, such prints naturally acquire traces of time—wormholes, mould marks, softened edges, and fractured lines. In this piece, rubbing techniques are not used for simple reproduction, but for faithful revelation. Through carefully layered ink tones, the knife marks of the original carving, the breaks in line, and the worn textures of the paper are transferred honestly onto porcelain, allowing age and erosion to become visible rather than concealed.

Where lines break or fade, the rubbing leaves breathing space—moments of intentional absence that heighten tension and vitality. These interruptions recall the fractured strokes of Sun Wukong’s staff, suggesting force that bursts through limitation rather than smooth continuity. Along the edges, softly diffused ink mimics the frayed borders of aged paper, like fingerprints left by time itself. What might once be considered flaws are transformed into tactile records of endurance, turning damage into narrative.

This act of honest transfer marks the philosophical starting point of Qing Ben Yuan. Rather than correcting or disguising imperfection, the piece allows incompleteness to be fully seen and accepted. In doing so, it echoes the classical insight that true wholeness begins with the recognition of what is missing. The subsequent application of gold-toned kintsugi accents does not erase rupture, but honours it, allowing breakage to become a source of renewed presence and quiet dignity.

The small reclining foot form embodies restraint and balance. Its inward curve settles naturally into the palm, offering comfort and stability, while the thin porcelain body allows warmth to pass gently through the hand. When resting on the table, the cup sits low and composed, reinforcing the sense of grounded calm that complements its philosophical depth.

Diameter: 6.8 cm
Height: 4.5 cm
Capacity: 95 ml

The listed price is for one cup. Each piece is individually handcrafted, and subtle variations in ink density, rubbing texture, and gold detailing 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 time and acceptance—where fragments speak, repair shines quietly, and each sip becomes a meditation on resilience, transformation, and the beauty of what endures through imperfection.