Chinese tea brewing vessel that can be used in place of a teapot or simply as a drinking cup. Gaiwan consists of a bowl, a lid, and a saucer. They are typically small enough that all three parts can be picked up in one hand. Developed during the Ming Dynasty, it is considered the preferred method for brewing teas with delicate flavors. A similar Japanese equivalent is the chawan, which is different in shape, and less often depicted with a lid.