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July 17, 2009

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Home » Feature » Art and Culture

Special coffee sets for China

HAVILAND, a renowned French ceramic brand, launched in China a specially designed, limited-edition coffee set.

The set consists of four cups, saucers and a purple-clay teapot, bearing auspicious figures of flying dragons and clouds. The cups are black, white, red and yellow.

The set is displayed at Exclusivites in Plaza 66 on Nanjing Road W. through the end of this month. Orders can be placed.

There are only 60 sets available around the world, Each costs 21,520 yuan (US$3,165).

"Can you think of other symbols to match the big event, the 60th anniversary of the founding of our country?" asks artist-designer Jin Xuanwei.

"It's not easy. The surface of a coffee cup is small and you must choose the right images to reflect the essence of Chinese culture on a Western-style coffee set," Jin says.

The four colors represent the five Chinese elements: fire, earth, wood, water and metal. The purple-clay pot represents earth.

The five elements are utilized in fengshui (literally wind-water, an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both astronomy and geography to help one improve life by receiving positive qi or energy) and they are said to generate and destroy each other's energy in a continual cycle. Balance and harmony are created in one's home when these colors/elements are properly arranged.

Haviland is famous for its superb technique of silver and gold application and designer Jin applies these as well.

"Chinese people love the colors of gold and silver especially for important occasions," she says. "They really light up and glamorize the set."

Date: Daily, 10am-10pm

Address: Unit 420, Exclusivites, Plaza 66, 1266 Nanjing Rd W.

Tel: 6288-0738




 

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