Teaware

The sound of the teapot set down, and everyone knowing it was time to sit. Minum petang at four, the open house at Raya, the first cup poured before the house woke: some of our warmest memories began with a pot of tea.

Our teapot and teacups gather around the pucuk rebung, the songket motif that stands as a symbol of life, traced in gold on fine porcelain with the bunga raya in bloom beside it. On the teapot, the scattered stars of tabur bintang stand, for Casa Aseana, for an open night sky, light shared generously, much like a pot of tea; on the small cups, the bunga tampuk manggis stands for the beauty found in everyday things.

Each set is boxed and ready to give: to the host who always keeps the pot warm, or to the friend whose door is open to everyone.