Product Details

Description

Hammered or Brushed Finish Tin Petal-Shaped Tea Tray — A Flower in Full Bloom on Your Tea Table

This tea tray (壶承) is crafted through the ancient art of Laiwu tin sculpture (莱芜锡雕) — a traditional Chinese metalworking craft that originated in 1676 during the Qing Dynasty. During the Qianlong era, the craft reached its peak and was designated as a tribute to the imperial court. Historical records show that when Emperor Qianlong’s daughter married into the noble family of Qufu, the wedding tinware was specially commissioned from Laiwu. In 2008, Laiwu tin sculpture was inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

The Material — 99.9% Pure Tin

Laiwu tin sculpture uses tin with a purity of 99.9% , without any additives, preserving the natural properties of tin as a green metal. The finished piece is “silver in color, mirror-bright in finish, and bell-clear in sound” — a standard that has remained unchanged for over three hundred years. Tin is naturally non-toxic, does not oxidize or discolor easily, and has no metallic odor, making it ideal for tea utensils.

The Surface Finish — Hammered or Brushed

This tea tray is available in two distinctive surface finishes:

Hammered Finish (锤击风格)
The surface is created through tens of thousands of carefully placed strikes. The overlapping hammer marks — known as “hammer grain” (锤目纹) — create a subtle play of light and shadow across the surface, adding depth and texture. Each hammer mark is a unique “fingerprint” of the artisan’s hand, making every piece one-of-a-kind. This finish embodies the aesthetic philosophy of “hammer marks as beauty” (锤痕即美).

Brushed Finish (拉丝风格)
The surface is refined through meticulous brushing, creating a fine, linear texture that is smooth to the touch and visually understated. The brushed finish gives the tin a soft, satin-like luster that catches the light gently, offering a more subtle and refined appearance.

The Design — Petal Shape

The tea tray takes the form of a blooming flower, with gracefully curving edges that echo the petals of a海棠花 (begonia flower). The petal-shaped design is not merely decorative — it provides a stable platform for your teapot while adding a touch of natural elegance to your tea table. The gently raised rim prevents spills from running off the tray, keeping your tea table clean and dry.

The Craft — Twelve Essential Steps

The creation of a Laiwu tin sculpture involves a highly complex process of twelve essential steps: design, material melting, sheet making, cutting, trimming, rough shaping, welding, filing, modeling, spinning, engraving, and fine polishing. The carving techniques draw from wood carving and stone carving, while also incorporating the unique “pull welding” (拉焊) and “stack welding” (堆焊) techniques developed specifically for metal.

The Function — An Essential Tea Ceremony Tool

The Hu Cheng (壶承) is an essential and elegant tool in the Gongfu tea ceremony. Placed beneath the teapot or gaiwan, it serves the practical purpose of catching drips and spills, keeping the tea table clean and dry. Its sculptural presence also makes it a key aesthetic element of the tea table, contributing to the overall ambiance and ritual of tea drinking.

Why This Piece Matters:

• 100% handmade — shaped by thousands of hammer strikes and finished by hand

• 99.9% pure tin — the finest material, with a natural luster that deepens with use

• National intangible cultural heritage — a piece of living Chinese craft history

• Petal-shaped design — brings floral elegance and natural beauty to your tea table

• Two finish options — choose between hammered or brushed surface texture

• Standard size — 21 cm diameter provides ample space for most teapots

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