Jingdezhen celadon — a quiet gurgle from the master’s wheel
This koi water-spitter was sourced by Sandry Law during a procurement trip to Jingdezhen, the historic porcelain capital of China. While visiting a cluster of small workshops near the ancient kilns, she discovered Master Li Wei, a second-generation carver known for his understated animal forms and meticulous celadon glazes. Master Li works exclusively with local porcelain stone, mixing his own slip and firing in a gas reduction kiln to achieve the soft grey-green hue that defines celadon. Each koi is hand-sculpted — the scales are pressed with a bamboo tool, the mouth precisely angled to create a gentle gargle when water passes over the tongue. Sandry selected this piece for its serene expression and dependable sound, a far cry from the loud, splashy spitters common on many trays. The tradition of water-spitters, or pēnshuǐ cháchǒng (喷水茶宠), emerged in Yixing and Jingdezhen as a playful way to honour the tea tray; each pour feeds the pet, a small ritual that deepens one’s connection to the session. This koi carries that quiet spirit, a reminder that even the smallest detail can transform the tea room into a sanctuary.