»Lichen« Semi-glazed Tea-Coffee Ceramic Bowl
N° ICSF2

This genuine stoneware tea bowl »Lichen« features inside glazing and a semi-glazed and semi-raw finish on the outside. It is crafted by hand by one of the last traditional, family-run stoneware ceramic manufacturers in Germany. The multi-purpose shape is suitable for enjoying tea or coffee, but you can also use it for serving tapas, small desserts or snacks. This unglazed ceramic bowl is dishwasher-safe and over time will get a softer patina.

The purist, grey-green glaze is reminiscent of the natural colour of lichen growing along the bark of trees, which is why the tea bowl is named »Lichen«.

Discover the matching »Beuys« Bowl or simply opt for a coffee bowl set of four or the tea set with teapot, including a quantity discount.

Design Concept

The tea and coffee bowl is part of the grey and unglazed »Singular« Tableware Collection designed in 2021, which emerged out of the black and white ceramic collection »Polar« from 2015. All ceramics are designed to be mixed with each other in every day life.

The black and white ceramics of the »Polar« collection embody opposing poles and represent difference and dualism. While the REH (GERMANY) »Singular« Collection with its grey and unglazed stoneware ceramics stand for variety, equality, and diversity. An essential aspect of modern life seems to be our tendency towards the »having-mode«, dwelling in competitive and divisive thinking (Erich Fromm).

But what is crucial is the »in-between«, such as the so-called »being-mode« in which we can celebrate our commonalities. In all cultures, this often occurs when people come together to eat and drink. The integration of black, white, and grey ceramics into everyday life is, therefore, a playful but also artistic representation of holism.

For me, high-quality, durable, and therefore valuable everyday objects are not only timeless companions, but also modern tools that can encourage us to consume less and more locally, guiding us towards a way of life oriented towards being. After all, who wouldn’t prefer spending much more time with themselves, friends, and family instead of dedicating their life to work for excess consumption?

Singular Product

While our ceramic collections seem homogeneous at first, each piece is singular with subtle unique differences, influenced by factors such as hand-thrown production on the potter's wheel, glazing, shrinkage during the drying processes, and the varying heat temperatures depending on the oven placement during the double-firing process.

Handcrafted Tradition

Using hand-thrown stoneware embodies the idea of a connection between an artist and a community, a link with other people rather than with factories, machines or corporations. Since hand-thrown stoneware ceramics are based on the tradition of human interaction, they represent an investment in an aesthetic that values patience and celebrates humanity in object.

• Semi-glazed in grey
• Subtle dark speckles
• Hand-thrown signatured Ceramic
• Dishwasher-safe
• Waterproof

Artisanal Process and Excellence

All REH (GERMANY) ceramics are entirely made by hand, from shaping the stoneware on a potter’s wheel to glazing. The entire handmade production with drying periods and a double-firing process for each ceramic piece takes about 14 days.

Difference between Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain

In the current market, there is often confusion between earthenware (Steingut) and stoneware (Steinzeug). It’s crucial to differentiate between the two, as earthenware tends to be of lower quality, more affordable, and less durable compared to authentic stoneware ceramics.

1.0 Earthenware is fired at lower temperatures (1000-1100°C), making it porous and less dense. It’s relatively soft and can chip or break easily, and is less water-resistant compared to stoneware or porcelain.

2.0 Stoneware, fired at higher temperatures (1200-1300°C), is denser and more robust due to a higher clay mineral density, offering better liquid resistance and durability, especially when fired at 1300°C. Therefore all REH (GERMANY) stoneware ceramics are fired with a temperature of 1300 °C. The grey or speckled clay give the stoneware ceramics its natural character in colour and texture.

3.0 Porcelain, is equally fired at very high temperatures (1300°C), has a dense, glass-like surface and is exceptionally hard, impact-resistant, and durable, owing to a higher kaolin content.

In summary, porcelain and stoneware fired at 1300 °C are the highest quality and most durable materials. The higher the firing temperature and the purer the composition, the finer and more durable the end product.

Function and Durability

The high-quality stoneware ceramics are dishwasher-safe and waterproof, as they are fired at temperatures of 1300°C, similar to porcelain. The ceramics withstand heat and water heated up to 70 °C. Our teapots, planters, vases etc. are also waterproof and won’t leak. Therefore, both stoneware tableware and plantware are ideal for the use in restaurants, cafés, hotels, or at home.

Clay

The grey clay features very few subtle speckles. At high furnace temperatures, the iron in the basalt-spots melts, leaving behind very few, fine but dark spots. The nature of the speckled effect depends on the size of the particles, the distribution of sizes, their abundance, the colour of the clay and the degree to which they melt. Another factor is the characteristics of the glaze e.g. degree of matteness, colour, thickness of application, the way it interacts with the basalt-spots, has as well an effect on the appearance. Therefore each piece has a very unique character, moreover slight deviations in size are possible due to the handmade quality.

All Resources

Product Material

100% grey clay (Origin: Germany

Care Guide Card

100% Natural Cardpaper

Packaging

100% Recycled Packaging Materials

Clean by hand or in a dishwasher at 70 °C or a higher temperature.

To remove stains or any other possible deposits caused by tea or coffee, simply use a metal sponge or scouring milk.

Diameter: 10 cm

Height: 6 cm

Note: Slight deviations are possible due to the handmade quality.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Choosing our stoneware ceramics means acquiring more than just high-quality ceramics. Above all, you’re supporting artisans and safeguarding their invaluable expertise in crafting stoneware ceramics, thereby preserving this artisanal tradition as cultural heritage.

The traditional, family-operated Saxon ceramic manufacturer, responsible for crafting all the stoneware tableware and plantware designs by REH (GERMANY), was established during the German Democratic Republic (DDR) in 1976. To this day, it remains a small, dedicated team.