Blue Cat Eggshell Cup by Tomotatake and Maruo Nishiki ceramic house.
This delicate ceramic cup is made by a porcelain manufacturer in the Gifu area who has been exporting porcelain to Europe since the Meiji era. The family is run by Okuda Masataka, the sixth-generation owner.
The Marunao Sekisho kiln has been operating for over 100 years, known for making eggshell porcelain that is as thin and light as an eggshell. The soft clay is stretched and molded and then put in the plaster molds. There are very few ceramic houses like this that have the expertise to work with the clay and adjust by using just trowels and fingertips.
Typically only 1 mm thick, Eggshell porcelain looks slightly transparent when held over light. At first glance, it seems very fragile to hold, but since it is baked at a high temperature, it is surprisingly strong.
The design featuring the cat is the collaboration between Maruo Nishiki and Tomotake, a design duo who produce original cloth goods using mud dyeing and embroidery.
Size: 8cm wide at the top x 7.8cm in height.
Made in Japan.
