Product Details

Description

Hand-Hammered Copper Tea Scoop — A Compact Curled Leaf Forged from a Single Piece of Copper

This tea scoop (茶則) is crafted through the ancient art of “Za Tong” (hammered copper) — a traditional Chinese metalworking craft known as Wei County Hammered Copper (濰縣砸銅), which has been passed down for hundreds of years in Weifang, Shandong. During the Qing Dynasty, Weifang was home to “two hundred red furnaces and three thousand copper craftsmen” — a testament to the scale and sophistication of this craft. Today, it is recognized as a municipal intangible cultural heritage of Weifang.

The Craft — “One Sheet, Thousands of Strikes”

Wei County hammered copper follows the principle of “one-sheet forging” (一片打) — the artisan works from a single piece of copper, relying on its natural softness and ductility. Through repeated heating (annealing) and hammering — tens of thousands of strikes — the metal is gradually shaped into its final form. The process involves multiple stages: blank forging, design sketching, cutting, shaping, annealing, forming, engraving, polishing, and finishing. Historically, this technique was known as “hammering and shaping” (捶揲).

The Material — Pure Copper

This tea scoop is made from high-purity copper (purple copper / red copper). Over time and with regular use, the copper surface will naturally develop a rich, warm patina — a living finish that deepens with age, recording the passage of time and the touch of your hand. Each piece is unique — the hammer marks and the natural evolution of the patina ensure that no two scoops are exactly alike.

The Design — A Curled Leaf

The scoop takes the form of a naturally curled leaf — the gentle curve at the tip mimics the way a leaf curls as it dries, while the overall silhouette follows the organic flow of nature. This design is not merely aesthetic: the curled shape creates a natural resting point for the fingers, making the scoop feel balanced and secure in the hand. The shallow concave surface holds tea leaves perfectly, while the curled tip adds an elegant visual finish.

Compact Size — Designed for Daily Use and Travel

At just 10 cm in length and 6 cm in width, this standard size is designed for everyday convenience. It fits comfortably in the palm, making it easy to handle and ideal for both daily tea sessions and travel. Whether at home or on the go, this little scoop brings the ritual of tea wherever you are.

Why This Piece Matters:

• 100% handmade — forged from a single piece of copper through tens of thousands of strikes

• Intangible cultural heritage craft — rooted in centuries of Weifang copper-working tradition

• Living finish — the copper develops a rich patina with age, becoming more beautiful over time

• Nature-inspired design — the curled leaf form brings organic elegance to your tea table

• Compact and portable — the standard size is perfect for daily use and travel

• Functional art — as practical as it is beautiful, perfect for daily tea practice