» Send To A Friend
Tea Trays

Chinese tea trays are a central point in many Chinese homes and the centre for formal and informal tea ceremonies. Much as in the West we offer people a cup of tea or coffee the same is true for many Chinese. People will gather round the tea tray, chat and drink tea. This can be a brief one or two GongFu tea cup affair or a whole day or evening. Good examples of these water tea trays in use can be seen in our Making Tea: Traditional GongFu Cha Dao and Making Tea: ZiSha Tea Pot pages.

The range of tea trays available range from the simple, easy to clean stainless steel tray that you will find in almost every FuJian home, to large carved tree roots that form a complete table with many levels to display different tea wear,to granite slabs and exquisitely carved rare wood. As we have touched upon many times during our look at tea; tea, art and nature have a close relationship.

Specialist teas scream out for unique and beautiful complementing accessories and the tea tray is the central focus.

Bamboo Tea Trays

Simple, elegant, robust, resilient are among a few of the characteristics that describe bamboo. One of the most versatile materials found on the planet, bamboo is still the preferred choice for many tea drinkers when buying a tea tray (cha pan).

Trays come in sizes from those suited for the avid tea drinker who entertains numerous guests or for use in tea houses, down to those, small, compact tea trays that can be kept at the side of a computer, or discretely tucked away for occasional use.

For those using a lot of water in their tea preparation then the external water hose is must. The hose, which runs into a plastic or bamboo bucket (tong), prevents regular trips to dispose of water. Those less frequent drinkers or who do not constantly rinse tea wares then the deeper tray with its own compartment for storing water is often a better option. Such Chinese water tea trays means that an external bucket or container is not required. This can often be a god-send for those with children, animals, limited space or a concern for aesthetics.

Ornate Ink Stone Tea Tray

China has a long history of arts & crafts. One of the most renowned is that of calligraphy. From this beautiful art, a need for specialist tools grew. To complement & enhancing the air of creativity, artisans produced from the finest materials, intricately crafted ink stones on which to mix ink. The most suitable and so desirable of all stone for this purpose is that of GuangDong, DuanYan and AnHui, SheXian.

The life of many artisans is often closely entwined through their way of thinking; love of beauty & in North East Asia the joy & tranquillity of tea. May be because the ability of tea to relax or to invigorate the mind & body, or merely the desire of the accomplished carvers to express their skill in form that also encompassed another love, tea, we are fortunate to stock & to have sold some delightful ink stone tea trays.

It is wonderful to see how such skill can transform a seeming common piece of stone in to such a piece of art, and in many cases a very practical piece of art that can be used & admired daily. Seeing how natural variation in the stones colours are encompassed in to the design never ceases to amaze.

As each of these Duan Yan tea trays is unique, those pictured are examples of specialist tea trays Wan Ling Tea House has previously stocked. Please contact us and we can provide you with images of tea trays currently available. These delightful tea trays are something you can cherish for life or an amazing, unforgettable gift.

Wooden Tea Trays

From the solid, heavy, single piece tea trays to those made from cut and bonded wood the range of artist wooden tea trays and hand-crafted tea trays is extremely varied.

Ornate Tea Tray with Accessories

This tea tray is made of Hua li wood with a decorative shell flower inlay design. The tray includes an external water outlet to which a pipe can be attached.

In this image we have included some traditional looking cups and accessories to give you an idea of the trays appearance when in use.

Ornate Inlaid Tea Tray and Tea Set

The tray pictured here is carved from red sandal wood. It includes an ornate inlaid sea shell bird sitting on a branch of bamboo. The traditional tea set shown includes smelling and drinking cups which are useful when you are making high quality tea in a classical fashion. The tray includes an external connection for connection to a pipe (not included) for run off water.