This conical tea bowl is covered in a streaky black and cream glaze known as 'tortoise-shell' decoration. This glaze was produced by splashing a mix of wood or bamboo ash and slip (liquid clay) onto the vessel after it has been dipped in the dark iron-brown glaze. Tea bowls such as these were admired by scholars for their rustic appeal. The dark colour of the bowl complimented the white foam that resulted from using whisked powdered tea during this period.
