The dynasties showed off their ceramics by creating incredibly beautiful vases and ceremonial bowls with which they decorated their palaces. But they realized that for their honored guests to really marvel at the translucency and lightness of this new material they needed to feel it as well as see it. Tea drinking provided a perfect way to do so. Serving tea to one’s guests in porcelain cups became an expression not just of technical sophistication but of cultural refinement as it grew eventually into a ceremonial ritual.
