Description
A craft of remarkable delicacy
The Ban Dao Ni (half-knife carving 半刀泥) technique was pioneered in the 1970s by Huang Maijiu, a master of Chinese arts and crafts.
More than a decorative technique, Ban Dao Ni is a highly specialized porcelain craft that brings together clay preparation, forming, glazing, carving and firing. Each stage contributes to the character of the finished piece.
The cup’s design was personally composed by Master Huang Maijiu and carved by his only disciple.
Working on a porcelain body approximately one millimetre thick, the artisan carves decisive, flowing lines into the surface. The resulting motifs appear subtly raised beneath the glaze, creating a delicate interplay of light, shadow and depth. The process is exceptionally demanding, and the risk of damage during production makes successful pieces particularly challenging to achieve.
At first glance, the porcelain appears smooth, luminous and understated. Look closer, and the fine, translucent body reveals its carved imagery. When illuminated, the fish emerge more clearly, bringing the decoration quietly to life.
Three fish, a world of meaning
Three fish move gracefully across the cup, their fins lifted and heads raised as if swimming freely through an invisible current. No water is carved around them, yet the suggestion of water is unmistakable.
The design invites a sense of movement within stillness. As tea is poured, the translucent porcelain allows the colour of the liquor to show through, creating the impression of fish swimming in water.
The motif also carries a deeper cultural resonance. In Daoist thought, the number three evokes the progression from unity to multiplicity, expressed in the Dao De Jing: “The Dao gives birth to One, One to Two, Two to Three, and Three to all things.”
The fish can also evoke the Chinese expression ru yu de shui (如鱼得水）— like a fish in water — a metaphor for being in one’s element, finding ease and harmony in one’s surroundings.
Through the balance of what is seen and what remains unspoken, the design leaves space for the imagination. It is a quiet reminder that beauty often lies not in what is fully depicted, but in what is gently suggested.
Product details
- Craft: Yong He Xuan Ban Dao Ni (half-knife carving)
- Motif: Three fish
- Material: Porcelain
- Origin: Jingdezhen, China
Pre-order information
This piece is available by pre-order. Your order will be placed with the maker or supplier after your purchase.
- Payment is required in full when placing your order.
- The estimated fulfilment timeframe will be stated here before the product is available to order.
- As this piece is sourced after purchase, availability and delivery timing may depend on the maker’s production schedule.
Please note that the actual appearance of the carving and translucency may vary slightly between individual pieces.
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