TeaForum.org

Something we do not yet have a topic on: tea boats!

To me they are the preferred alternative to a tea tray or even table. Practical, portable and more flexible in general.

Of course a simple dish and some thoughtful pouring will make all of the above unnecessary, but sometimes one jus can’t be bothered and little solids-splashing can be fun too...

Which brings me to this vintage tray I chanced upon in a thriftshop in Taipei.

It has its own wabi sabi charm with lots of patina from years of use and probably some neglect as well. But I like it exactly for that!

Interesting piece with the lions rampant. Thanks for sharing.

I really like this! Its like a bowl/table cross. looks small enough for travel.
Nice find

Brent D wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:43 am

I really like this! Its like a bowl/table cross. looks small enough for travel.
Nice find

Yes! There is enough space to fit a pot and a few cups

Is it ceramic or metal? Cheers

Ethan Kurland wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:06 pm

Is it ceramic or metal? Cheers

Tin!

Even more travel-friendly, then

debunix wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:51 pm

Even more travel-friendly, then

In theory, yes. Although this one is old and a bit roughed up, so it has become a bit frail and it will probably sit on the table instead

Going to use it, when I want to have no frill, easy brewing. So convenient, all in one and no need to worry about spill over or waste water containers. It also happens to perfectly match my favorite Qing-douqing cups with its greenish-turquoise patina, love it! So now the youngest member in a tea session is the tea, haha

here's a wood fired boat i've been using from Shawn Erin McGuire (Greenwood Studio):

pedant wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:24 pm

here's a wood fired boat i've been using from Shawn Erin McGuire (Greenwood Studio):

What I love about tea boats is how they gather patina over an even faster period than the pots! The longer they are used the better they get.

So this tray came today...

Looks splendid. Where did you get it?

debunix wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 05, 2018 8:21 pm

Looks splendid. Where did you get it?

TaoBao...

Essence of Tea carries now a selection of very traditional pewter tea trays/boats. I have been looking for one for at least a decade, but the old ones are super rare and nobody sells one.
These ones here are new, but made in the old way

https://essenceoftea.com/collections/te ... and-plates

theredbaron wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 28, 2018 5:02 pm

I have been looking for one for at least a decade....

One of the most popular trays on taobao