IT may be Britain’s favourite beverage, but leave your mugs at home for this new exhibition showing how to drink tea in style.

The Oxford Ceramics Gallery, on Walton Street, Jericho, is displaying a collection of 400 tea bowls from across the world.

Tea bowls – a hand-held bowl for drinking – are traditionally used in East Asia on special occasions, and are hugely important in Japanese and Chinese culture.

On display are a wide variety of pieces, both old and new.

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Among the traditional Asian pieces are examples by ceramic master Shoji Hamada, widely-revered in his native Japan.

There are also numerous modern interpretations from around the world, including the Green Tea Bowl by Dutch ceramic artist Wouter Dam and, closer to home, work by Neil Brownsword.

James Fordham, director of Oxford Ceramics, explained: “This is our most ambitious exhibition to date, with an amazing line-up of makers. We’ve invited established and emerging ceramists from all over the world.”

The free exhibition opens today and runs until November 20.

 

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