《筋纹杯垫套组》"Segmental-Corollary Cup and Tray Set", Di Cao Qing 底槽青紫泥 ~ Crafted by L3A Consummate Master Artist Li Yan Ru 李艳如 ~ Congratulations!to Mr B.I., 0949hrs 6th July 2025, Oak Park, IL.
Dearest Friends, this is an EXQUISITE FULLY SEGMENTAL-COROLLARY CUP & TRAY SET, SPECIALLY Fully-Handcrafted by L3A Consummate Master Artist Li Yan Ru 李艳如!!! She uses Di Cao Qing Zi Ni here in this superb Segmental-Corollary Cup and Tray Set. She hopes this beloved set will find a lovely home, for daily use, for guests to admire and on the display pedestal when at rest :-D
When filled to the brim, it holds 136ml of water.
At ~75% full, near the brim, it holds 100ml.
This is a rare Segmental-Corollary Cup and Tray Set specially prepared and crafted for you friends!
As she had explained here in this video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIHDQejLgQw
At the 18:22 mark,
Segmental-Corollary requires the careful addition and application of thin clay strips onto the indentations she had coaxed in earlier, in order to "house" these thin clay strips. How one does it: putting on these clay strips from the side, and coaxing each of them in, without collapsing the wall, calls for exquisite craftsmanship and care. Most critically, are 1) how these clay strips are applied and SCULPTED in as a cohesive whole with the ZiSha work, the ever-changing curves, call for extreme visual judgement, and 2) there are MANY pieces which during firing, failed due to the opening up of these strips away from the main slab. This completed and successful Segmental-Corollary piece, is a) a work of Art and Aesthetic Finesse, b) laborious diligence and c) a blessing from the kiln, for there were the other failed five pieces with separated strips during firing.
She asks of you to cherish this "baby" of hers :-D ! Rightfully so, and please do!!
At the 18:53 mark, she explains that the Shang Ming Zhen 上明针 stage: the refining and smoothening part, for a Segmental-Corollary piece, is extremely arduous as one cannot go around (with more ease) for a round Austere piece.
Here are some excerpts taken during her crafting of a Segmental-Corollary Xiao Ying 笑樱 model, for a current patron, as here you will understand the actual gruelling, skilful and laborious crafting of the Yin 阴 and especially the Yang 阳 lines (as explained above with the application and refining of the individual thin clay strips):
Master Li has CAREFULLY done the Dao Jiao 倒角, the smoothening of all the edges ALL around the brim, and you will feel NO discomfort nor any sharp edges at all during drinking.
And, despite the clay slab not being thick, Master Li shows her Consummate skills in ensuring the aperture is circular :-D. She asks of your forgiveness that it will be never be perfectly circular as this is an open top cup undergoing firing; as compared to & unlike firing a pot whereby the lid is placed inset resting into the main body, thereby applying a resistive pressure against the shrinkage of the aperture of the body top opening):
An absolute delight from Consummate Master Li Yan Ru. Here for you friends!
She also wishes to point to the fact that the lines are almost straight, and do not be misled by the curves, light and shadow interfacing one another :-D (when casually looked from the side, the Yin Yang lines may appear not to be straight, but if looked from above or from below the Yin Yang Lines and actually straight!)
Here above we showed two Yang and one Yin line. The full set of all eight Yin-Yang lines are in the 130-photo collage :-D for your perusal.
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This is an important learning piece.
There are tons of fake "Fully-handmade" specimens on the market! These fakes are actually mould-made/half-handmade Segmental-Corollary pieces! flooding the market, posing as, and labelled as, "Fully-Handmade" pieces.
We have purposely taken detailed photos of the inner walls this time, so as to let them "imprint" into your minds how a TRUE FULLY-HANDMADE SEGMENTAL-COROLLARY WORK is to be identified from the inside. How the fluffiness and creasing combine together at the rim near the base, and then as we extend our observation upwards, how the fluffiness/crumb-like appearance continue but gradually decrease.
Here, we go down, and then go up, in ten sequential photographs:
You may also browse these two pieces below《菱秀》Ling Xiu and《待春》Dai Chun, use them as further learning examples. Watch and observe in detail, and let the appearances imprint in your learning mind, of what are the details that tell A FULLY-HANDMADE SEGMENTAL-COROLLARY PIECE, VERSUS a half-handmade i.e. mould-made segmental-corollary piece conveniently slapped on and then taken off two half-moulds!
Learn so that you appreciate the kind of professional life that Consummate Master Li Yan Ru devotes, honestly to PRACTICE and to PRESERVE: PURE Fully-Handmaking Segmental-Corollary ZiSha works:
https://www.realzisha.com/en-au/products/%E5%BE%85%E6%98%A5-dai-chun-imminence-of-spring-195-5ml-lao-zi-ni-%E8%80%81%E7%B4%AB%E6%B3%A5-crafted-by-l3a-master-consummate-artist-li-yan-ru-%E6%9D%8E%E8%89%B3%E5%A6%82
Master Li thanks all of you for your time learning of true Fully-Handmaking of Segmental-Corollary ZiSha works!
We are very happy that Master Li always dote all of us with her absolutely delightful works! all pieces of her Fine Art as a L3A Consummate Master Artis!
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We have already seen how Master Li Yan Ru professes, specialises and "owns!", the hugely onerous COMBINATION Segmental-Corollary PLUS Overhead Top Handle Class works. Her Designs are not just pushing Senior Artists and Research Level Artists, they are winning multiple awards! Totally Understandable for her virtuoso skills honed from many years of hard work and learning since young.
Besides her specialty class Master Li has always, consistently been crafting Austere and Polygonal Works as well for our Chinese patrons! All who insist on having her craft for them.
Master Li Yan Ru crafts Austere, Polygonal and Segmental-Corollary Works, and she only avails them with us at RealZiSha.
Master Li gained her accreditation as L3A Consummate Master Artist on the 12th December 2023 and she deeply appreciates all your time and being with her, as she scales to L2 Senior Master soon!
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Master Li has consistently orders coming through for her Austere works ever since she has been working with us in China since 2018, and her international debut with us in mid-2024 which showcased three of her signature and award-winning Segmental-Corollary ZiSha works. The fourth and highly proclaimed, Segmental-Corollary ZiSha work was launched in December and was snatched up within a day. She regularly crafts Austere and Polygonal works on her own terms, and what she loves to manifest.
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Video and Paper certification for this pot from Consummate Master Li Yan Ru 李艳如, and after receipt of your ZiSha prized work, she will link up with you via Video Streamyard call to certify and chat with the patron, you, regarding this Work.
Congratulations to the dear Patron of this Art work of hers!! Master Li looks very much forward to seeing you friends from all over the world engaged in this lovely tea journey of Tea And Fully-Handmade ZiSha Art. MASTER LI thanks all of you friends who have been supporting her and she hopes to accompany you friends on your journey of tea, and its culture!🎋
Once purchased, unique 5rmb cash note allocated and written in to secure and authenticate your purchase with RealZiSha and Master Li Yan Ru 李艳如。
Master Li thanks you for your time with her appreciating and hopefully adopting this work of hers! She will catch up with you on a Streamyard video!
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