Pale Ash Chawan

A wood-fired chawan made by Dodo in Jingdezhen.

The bowl has a rounded body, an open mouth, and a steady foot — close to the quiet logic of a classic tea bowl. It is generous enough for whisking matcha, but also works for warm tea served slowly at the table.

Its surface is shaped by the firing rather than by applied decoration. As wood burns in the kiln, ash settles onto the clay and melts in the heat, leaving mineral traces, soft speckles, and small variations across the surface. Each piece carries a slightly different record of fire, position, and time.

A bowl to hold with both hands.

Dodo is an artist based in Jingdezhen, working between oil painting and ceramics.

Her ceramic pieces often feel as if they come from the ground rather than from a polished studio. The forms are quiet and rounded, with a certain softness that makes them easy to approach. They do not look overly designed. They feel found, held, and slowly shaped.

What matters in her work is not only the surface, but the way an object meets the body. A bowl should sit well in the hands. The rim should feel gentle when drinking. The weight, the curve, the foot, and the small irregularities all become part of the experience.

Her objects carry this balance: earthy, tactile, and simple, but never careless.

• Volume: about 280ml
• Diameter: outer 11.3 cm, inner 10.5 cm
• Height: 8.8 cm
• ceramic · wood-fired· natural ash

Hand wash gently with warm water and a soft sponge. Avoid dishwasher use, sudden temperature changes, and soaking for long periods.

As with many wood-fired ceramics, the surface may be slightly textured and irregular. This is part of the firing process rather than a flaw. Dry fully before storage.

Not recommended for microwave use.