Person holding a Catherine De Abreu espresso cup mug with offering hands and germinating tree decal

Generosity Espresso Cup

By Catherine De Abreu
Description

Catherine's handmade porcelain cup, thrown on the wheel, has a smooth exterior and a textured handle. Perfect for coffee aficionados, each cup contains up to 110 ml in volume, sufficient for a double espresso shot or a single allongé.

Decorated with a Tree of Life germinating from offering hands, this piece reminds us of our connection to the earth and the joy of sharing its bounty with loved ones.
Origins, Process and Materials
Origins

Handmade in Laval, Canada

Materials were sourced from Canadian and US manufacturers
Process

Catherine makes each cup on the potter's wheel

Once the cup is dry, she puts it back on the wheel to trim it. She then hand-builds a handle, which she attaches to the cup. It’s also at this stage that she paints the piece with pigmented engobe (colored clay)

Catherine fires her pieces three times in an electric kiln over several days: a bisque firing, a glaze firing at ˜1,232⁰C (2,250°F), and a final firing for the handmade decals
Materials

Porcelain, glazes, decals
Care Instructions, Dimensions and Capacity

Microwave and dishwasher safe

H6 cm x D9.5 cm | Vol 110 mL
$28.00
Please note that there may be variations in coloration and size due to the handmade nature of the piece.
Carefully packaged and shipped from Montréal, with drop testing made at heights of up to 4 metres (13 feet). In the rare event of damage, we’ll take care of it promptly.
View details

Ceramics 101

Porcelain clay body on a kneading table.

What is the difference between stoneware, porcelain and earthenware in tableware?

In this article, we outline the differences between porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware, tracing their geological origins and showing how these materials and techniques shape the look and durability of each piece.

How is handmade ceramic made?

How is handmade ceramic made?

Pottery is vibrant with life. Pleasing to the eye and touch, it carries history and human sensitivity. But creating handmade ceramics professionally requires years of experience, aesthetic sensitivity, deep technical skill and a great deal of patience.

Electric kiln in a potter's studio in St-Henri neighborhood in Montreal.

What are the different firing techniques?

For thousands of years, people have baked clay objects in ground fire pits to make ceramics, a technique still used today. However, to achieve specific, reproducible results, ceramists use specialized ovens known as kilns which yield more control over temperature and oxygen levels.