Introductory facts

  • Inspected as one object

    The porcelain, weaving, fit, edges, and overall balance are checked before packing.

  • Designed by THE YUNXI

    Shape, proportions, capacity, finish, and bamboo coverage are defined for the intended daily use.

  • Made in Dehua

    The custom porcelain body is produced by a specialist Dehua porcelain partner.

  • Bamboo woven by hand

    Natural bamboo is prepared, fitted, woven, and finished through a separate handcraft process.

Chapter 01 — Porcelain

The porcelain form.

Made in Dehua to THE YUNXI’s specifications.

The process begins with a porcelain form developed for its intended use and for the bamboo that will later surround it.

THE YUNXI defines the shape, proportions, capacity, finish, and bamboo coverage of the finished object. A specialist porcelain partner in Dehua then produces and fires the porcelain body according to these requirements.

The drinking rim and interior remain uncovered, preserving a smooth glazed porcelain surface where the cup meets coffee, tea, and the lips.

Before bamboo weaving begins, the porcelain body is inspected for its surface, structure, dimensions, and stability.

What the porcelain provides

  • A smooth drinking surface

    The exposed glazed rim and interior create a clean, smooth contact surface for coffee and tea.

  • The structure of the object

    The porcelain defines the cup’s capacity, balance, stability, and relationship to the hand.

  • A form for bamboo weaving

    The porcelain proportions and bamboo coverage are developed together so the woven exterior belongs to the object rather than appearing added afterward.

What we inspect

Before weaving, each qualified porcelain body is checked for:

  • A smooth and comfortable drinking rim
  • An even glazed interior
  • Stable contact with the table
  • Overall structural integrity
  • Dimensions suitable for bamboo fitting
  • Surface condition before weaving

Quality boundary

Subtle differences resulting from firing may occur. Cracks, sharp drinking edges, structural instability, or defects affecting normal use are not considered natural variation.

CHAPTER 02 — BAMBOO

Bamboo, prepared and woven.

Prepared for flexibility. Woven for the hand.

Natural bamboo is selected and prepared into strips suitable for weaving around the porcelain form.

The material must be flexible enough to follow the shape of the cup, yet stable enough to retain the structure of the finished weave. The bamboo is prepared, positioned, woven, and finished by hand around each qualified porcelain body.

Subtle differences in grain, tone, and texture remain visible. They are not concealed beneath an artificial uniform surface.

What bamboo adds

  • Natural insulation

    The handwoven bamboo forms an insulating layer between the heated porcelain and the hand, reducing direct heat transfer through the covered areas.

  • A tactile hold

    The woven surface brings warmth and texture to the areas most naturally touched when lifting and holding the cup.

  • Evidence of the hand

    Subtle differences in bamboo tone, grain, and weave preserve the visible character of the making process.

From bamboo to weave

  • 01 — Selected

    Bamboo is chosen according to the requirements of the intended weave and finished form.

  • 02 — Prepared

    The material is processed into strips suitable for shaping, handling, and weaving.

  • 03 — Woven

    The bamboo is woven directly around the porcelain body rather than produced as a separate decorative sleeve.

  • 04 — Finished

    Edges, joints, and contact points are completed and checked by hand.

Why care matters

Bamboo is a natural material. Water, heat, prolonged soaking, and incomplete drying can affect its surface and fit over time.

This is why the finished object should be hand washed gently and allowed to dry fully after cleaning.

The care instructions do not exist to turn everyday use into a complicated ritual. They protect the relationship between bamboo and porcelain.

CHAPTER 03 — ASSEMBLY

Where the materials meet.

The final object depends on the fit.

Bamboo over Porcelain is not created by placing a standard decorative sleeve over a finished cup.

The porcelain form, bamboo coverage, weave, handle wrapping, and contact points are considered as parts of one object.

The bamboo is woven around each qualified porcelain body. Its tension and alignment are adjusted to the form, then the edges and joints are finished by hand.

This meeting point—where bamboo ends and porcelain remains exposed—is one of the most closely examined areas of the finished piece.

Four stages of completion

  • 01 — Qualified porcelain

    Only porcelain bodies that meet the required surface, structural, and dimensional standards move into weaving.

  • 02 — Woven to the form

    Bamboo is fitted and woven around the individual porcelain body.

  • 03 — Edges completed

    The boundaries, joints, and handle contact points are finished by hand.

  • 04 — Inspected as one object

    Porcelain, bamboo, fit, stability, and overall balance are checked together.

What we inspect after weaving

Each completed piece is checked for:

  • Secure and stable weaving
  • Smooth edges and contact points
  • Fit between bamboo and porcelain
  • Alignment of bamboo coverage
  • Handle wrapping and connection points
  • Porcelain condition after weaving
  • Stable base and overall balance
  • Final presentation before packing

The final standard belongs to the whole object—not to either material alone.

HANDMADE VARIATION

Natural Variation

Handwork and natural materials create subtle differences from one piece to another. These differences make each cup individual without changing its intended capacity, stability, or everyday function.

  • Natural and acceptable

    Subtle variation in bamboo tone

    Natural differences in bamboo grain

    Minor differences in weave rhythm

    Small variations in hand-finished details

    Slight visual differences created by the material

  • Not considered natural variation

    Loose or unstable weaving

    Sharp edges or prominent splinters

    Cracked porcelain

    Sharp or defective drinking rims

    Significant structural misalignment

Natural variation is part of the making. Functional defects are not.

MADE FOR CONTINUED USE

Care

Porcelain and bamboo respond differently to water, heat, and time. Simple, attentive care helps preserve the fit, texture, and surface of the finished piece.

Everyday care

  • Wipe clean after use
  • Hand wash gently with mild soap when needed
  • Do not soak for extended periods
  • Towel dry after cleaning
  • Allow the bamboo to air dry fully
  • Do not use in a dishwasher
  • Do not use in a microwave
  • Avoid prolonged direct sunlight

Use it regularly. Clean it gently. Let it dry completely.

THE FINAL STEP

Packing

Before dispatch, each completed piece is inspected and placed into protective packaging designed for both presentation and transport.

The product is supported within its inner packaging, protected from movement, and placed inside a shipping box prepared for its journey.

Gift-ready presentation is included. If a piece arrives damaged, THE YUNXI will arrange a replacement or refund according to our damage-on-arrival policy.

Craft is how the parts come together

For THE YUNXI, craft is not limited to one technique, one material, or one place.

It is the way an object is defined, the specialist makers are chosen, the materials are brought into relation, and the finished piece is prepared for everyday life.

Bamboo over Porcelain is the first expression of this approach—not its limit.

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